Winemaker Notes
Elegant and beautifully balanced, this Pinot Noir has aromas of ripe cherry, vanilla and a hint of savory herbs, while on the palate it is juicy and refined with a hint of dusty cherry. The wine has a big rich mouth-feel, silky tannins and a long finish. This wine expresses classic Rochioli character.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate has alluring scents of blackberry preserves, blueberries, licorice, amaro and tea leaves with generous spicy undertones. The medium-bodied palate is silky, seamless and fresh with concentrated, perfumed fruit and a fan of spicy accents across the long finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
A minty aroma leads to nicely ripe, almost sweet, red and black cherries in this vibrant, fruity and well-balanced wine. Moderate tannins shape a refreshing mouthfeel to brace the indulgent cherries and berries.
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Wine Spectator
A ripe, juicy style, this is nicely packed with cherry, raspberry coulis and hibiscus notes, all wrapped in red licorice accents. Open, polished and flattering finish. Drink now through 2026. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,175 cases made.
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.