Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Bush Crispo Vineyard is beautifully perfumed of roses and potpourri over a core of kirsch, pomegranate and raspberry preserves with a touch of tilled soil. The palate is medium to full-bodied with mouth-filling red berry and earthy layers supported by grainy tannins, and it finishes with a burst of freshness.
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Jeb Dunnuck
From the Russian River Valley, the 2015 Pinot Noir Bush Crispo Vineyard is exotic and complex, with tons of spice, red plums, spring flower, and menthol aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, lively and balanced on the palate, with good acidity, it's another effort from this estate that I think will be even better with another year in bottle.
Rating: 91+
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.