Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Pinot Noir River Block comes from vines planted in 1989. It has a pale to medium ruby color, and the nose is layered with cranberry, Bing cherry, bright strawberry and raspberry notions along with aromas of cola, floral perfume, black tea leaves, blood orange peel and tobacco leaf. It's light to medium-bodied, but the flavors explode, offering perfumed red berries softly framed by delicate tannins, juicy acidity and a very long, perfumed finish. Wow!
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Wine Spectator
Shows intense minerality to the flavors of dried rose petal, raspberry, cherry and red plum that are focused and fresh-tasting. Dried meat and forest floor notes emerge midpalate, with a glistening finish that is well-spiced. Drink now through 2024. 254 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.