Winemaker Notes
A ruby-edged violet hue sets expectations for the tart red cherry and cranberry aromas that open in the glass, evolving into red plum and boysenberry steeped with orange peel, bergamot, and earl gray tea. Vibrant tension and a satisfying grip carry through the juicy palate with an intriguing hint of crunchy sea salt. A bright acidity adds freshness to the long, pure finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Sliced strawberry with bark and stone with some sand undertones. Graphite. Medium-bodied, tight and focused with spices such as pepper and bark. Flavorful finish.
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Tasting Panel
Showing high-toned notes of cherry cola, pomegranate, and salted cherry, this electric red possesses a refreshing and zesty exuberance.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A ripe ruby/magenta color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is effusive and floral out of the gate, with lovely notes of fresh violets, ripe black raspberries, and a hint of orange peel. It has a refined feel, with fine tannins and lovely freshness throughout, as well as a lasting, fresh, juicy finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
This intensely colored Pinot gives waves of raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas on the nose, with hints of herb mélange emerging over time. The palate is deeply saturated and juicy, with flavors of roasted cherry, spiced orange peel and sarsaparilla on the balanced palate.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir has a slowly blossoming perfume of raspberry, pomegranate and blackberry with notes of licorice, rooibos tea and forest floor. The light-bodied palate is supple and juicy with crunchy red fruit and a long, spicy finish. It's a brighter, leaner style than usual but very easy to drink!
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Wine Spectator
Keeping good energy throughout, this shows punch and drive for the vintage, with a solid core of mulberry and boysenberry coulis notes backed by light apple wood and anise hints.
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.