Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Russian River Valley Pinot noir is another favorite. We capture intense flavors from vines that produce some of the best Pinot noir in Sonoma County and blend it into this wine. It’s also our most approachable Pinot noir when opened young. Bright red cherry notes jump out of the glass and the palate is almost juicy. Think fresh raspberries and hints of baking spice. Moderate acidity, fine tannin's , and a beautiful texture round out this wine.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
All destemmed and brought up mostly in neutral oak, the appellation 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley offers a big, juicy nose of ripe mulberry and smoked black cherry fruits as well as plenty of earthy, forest notes, medium to full body, good acidity, and a great finish. It's nicely balanced and shows a slightly more fresh, focused style while not losing its Russian River Valley heritage.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley has a nose of dried cranberries and red and black cherries with tones of dried orange peel and tobacco. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy with bright fruits and an earthy finish. 540 cases produced.
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.