Winemaker Notes
#54 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World 2025
Displaying a jeweled ruby color from core to rim, the wine presents alluring aromas of tart cranberry and pomegranate, complemented by an undertone of black tea. Plush dark red fruits add a lively charm to this wine followed by a palpable energy accentuated by subtle hints of oyster shell and wet stone. The finely tuned balance of acidity and tannins creates a textured elegance, all ending in a persistent finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Wow, a super well-structured, vital wine with oodles of generous black fruit flavors on a firm frame that will help it age well and improve with time. Black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, forest floor nuances and a slight smoky, stemmy character from using mostly Calera-clone grapes, with 15% whole clusters and 30% new French oak. Great interplay between layered fruit and a fresh, crunchy texture.
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Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir George Menini Estate is stunning. It offers a captivating mix of aromatic intensity, structure and deep fruit. It's balance is mind-blowing. The clonal mix of Calera, Mt. Eden and 115 gave rise to a Pinot of rare distinction and dynamic energy. I loved it. A closing burst of red/purplish fruit, rose petal and mocha lingers on the finish. What a stunner.
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Wine Spectator
This is vivid, bristling with crunchy acidity that helps drive a mix of mulberry, black cherry and raspberry fruit along, while letting in rose hip, hibiscus and pomegranate accents along the edges. Expressive and well-defined, this is brimming with energy. Best from 2026 through 2035.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.