Winemaker Notes
Fragrant with ripe raspberry and holiday spice, this ruby-hued pinot noir is bursting with Russian River Valley character. Its firmly structured, silky palate unfolds in a tightly-knit weave of Bing cherry and blackberry with hints of Darjeeling tea and cardamom. Subtle earthiness adds depth and is balanced by bright acidity that punctuates a lengthy finish. Alcohol 14.6%
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This classy 2008 exhibits wonderful aromatics of wild raspberry, anise, blackberry and spice, with touches of mineral and sage. Full-bodied and complex, this is vibrant, focused, intense and persistent. Drink now through 2016. 3,644 cases made.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Simply more open and inviting at the moment than Hobbs' Hyde bottling, this one delivers a lovely rendition of the highly energetic, keenly focused red cherry fruit that lifts Russian River Pinots to the top of the charts time and time again. It is tasty and balanced with plenty of room to grow but does not demand cellar aging so much as promising to be ever better with two or three years of time in bottle.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Pinot Noirs include the beautiful 2008 Pinot Noir Russian River. Abundant plum sauce and black cherry jam intermixed with roasted herb, damp earth and currant notes are found in this impressive, full-bodied, spicy, luscious Pinot. It should drink well for 3-5 years.
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.