Winemaker Notes
Planted in 1973 and continuously producing with many of the original vines, this is among the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Rather than replanting the aging parcel, Porter Creek has revitalized it with clever interplanting, vine-by-vine replanting and soil improvement work. Aromatically it leans in the red fruit and rose petal spectrum, with just a little dark red fruit in the background giving some palette weight. The old vines give powerful yet amazingly silky tannins. Many of the past bottling are still drinking well with 20 years or so of age on them.
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.