Winemaker Notes
Starting on the nose, you'll be greeted with hints of cinnamon, black licorice, blackberry, anise and chocolate cherry. Expect a silky smooth tannin mouthfeel with notes of plum and jammy strawberry and a nice balance of acidity on the finish, making this a versatile pairing partner.
Professional Ratings
-
Tasting Panel
Notes of tobacco, rose petal, cherry, and cranberry meet a satin mouthfeel with a natural elegance. Showing hints of animal, cinnamon, and nutmeg as well as bracing acid structure, this red has lots to offer.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Tempting, rich fruit aromas of baked cherries and ripe strawberries are followed by palate-warming, generous red and black cherries, dark plums and subtle oak spices. A full body and smooth, inviting texture make it seamless to sip.
-
Wine Spectator
Leads with expressive cherry and blackberry compote notes, while sleek red tea and incense accents run through the juicy finish. Very tasty.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2021 Screen Door Cellars Pinot Noir is an active wine of excellent brightness. Try it with skewered lamb. (Tasted: March 14, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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.