Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A finished tank sample, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is made using about 25% whole-cluster fermentation—the first time, David Ramey says, that they've experimented with whole cluster. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, it has a gregarious, youthful nose with tangerine peel, soft baking spices, forest floor and a wicked vein of floral nuance with warm red and black fruits at the core. The palate gives good concentration of spicy fruit, with grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and spicy. Range: 92-94
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Jeb Dunnuck
As to the reds, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley comes from a handful of sites and spent 14 months in just under 40% new French oak. Its translucent ruby color is followed by a complex, earthy effort that offers mulled strawberry and cherry fruit, notes of dried herbs, forest floor, and saddle leather, medium-bodied richness, and a great texture. This Burgundy lover’s Pinot Noir shines for its complexity and elegance more than power and richness.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is sourced from a selection of different vineyards, including Bucher along Westside Road. Earthy funk underlies high-toned red cherry, rhubarb and strawberry, threading the needle between richness and crispness. A salty savory finish tops things off.
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Wine Spectator
Delicate, with finely textured dried cherry and raspberry tart flavors, supported by fresh acidity. Shows cherry confit notes midpalate, revealing plenty of spice and smoke hints on the finish.
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.