Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Pinot Noir Little Hill comes from the Russian River and was 90% destemmed and aged 15 months in French oak (the percentage new wasn’t specified). It's similar ruby translucent colored and has rocking notes of black cherries, mulberries, crushed violets, rose petals, and damp earth. Incredibly pure, finesse-driven yet still powerful and intense, this is a remarkable Pinot Noir that will benefit from short term cellaring and keep for 10-15 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From vines planted in 1972, the 2017 Chardonnay Little Hill has earthy cheese rind, stone and gunflint notes along with delicate notions of toasted hazelnut, white peach, dried white flowers and brioche. The palate is so classy, medium-bodied with intense, honey nut-tinged fruits balanced by juicy acidity and mineral character, finishing long. Rating: 94+
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Wine Spectator
Pure and minerally, with concentrated cherry, plum and raspberry flavors that are supported by fresh acidity and medium-grained tannins. Floral and violet notes show on the long, delicate finish, revealing hints of cedar and sandalwood. Drink now through 2025. 441 cases made.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.