Winemaker Notes
One of the smallest appellations on the Sonoma coast, Green Valley of Russian River Valley has a cool climate, a result of the fog that comes from the Pacific Ocean each evening. The cooler weather and well-drained Goldridge soils create an idyllic climate for growing Pinot Noir, yielding complex, elegant wines with well-balanced acidity. Pinot Noir achieves greatness here.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This bears a silky texture that's light and pleasant on the palate, but there’s nothing light about the flavors. It offers blasts of ripe, pure raspberry, cherry and Dr. Pepper, with lots of exotic spice.
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Wine Spectator
Fresh and snappy, offering notes of vibrant black cherry, raspberry, plum, black tea and spice, with a subtle touch of spice and cedar. Ends with firm, ripe tannins.
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.