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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Jeb Dunnuck
A single vineyard release from the Russian River, the 2018 Pinot Noir Little Hill was 90% destemmed and spent 15 months in French oak. Black cherries, spiced raspberries, white flowers, and spice all emerge from this medium-bodied, silky, incredibly finesse- and floral-driven Pinot Noir. It has terrific purity, the soft, elegant style of the vintage, and flawless balance. It's going to keep for 10-15 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale ruby, the nose of the 2018 Pinot Noir Little Hill is delicate and perfumed, with notes of dried lavender, tea leaves, citrus peel and red berries plus touches of iron and licorice. The palate is light to medium-bodied, elegant, refined and perfumed, with a grainy texture and long, layered 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.