Winemaker Notes
Sweetwater vineyard is located at the highest elevation of the Rochioli estate. This wine has aromas of ripe black cherry, rose, dried flowers and spice with rich ripe cherry and vanilla flavors. Very full on the palate, the refined tannins and balanced acidity are in perfect harmony. This is a blend of the Rochioli West Block selection and Dijon 777.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
More mulled strawberries, black raspberries, wildflowers, toasted spice, and integrated, classy oak emerge from the 2019 Pinot Noir Sweetwater, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, flawless balance, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It doesn't match the borderline perfect 2018, but it has all the hallmarks of a magical Pinot Noir: purity, balance, elegance, complexity, and richness. Don't miss it!
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale ruby-purple, the 2019 Pinot Noir Sweetwater Vineyard takes some time to open to blackberries, cranberry sauce, earth, tobacco and tea leaf aromas, gaining top notes of citrus and potpourri with time in the glass. The palate is grainy, super fresh and layered, with a fan of spices carrying the long finish.
Rating: 95+
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.