Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Big yet deftly balanced, presenting rich blackberry, blueberry and raspberry notes, with toasty and smoky oak, ending with a fistful of chewy tannins. The flavors push past the tannic finish. Should reward short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2023.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Coming from the Russian River Valley, the 2012 Pinot Noir Parsons' Vineyard has noticeable sweet oak in its cassis, creme brulee, licorice and dried spice-driven profile. Medium-bodied, nicely textured and with beautiful fruit, it will benefit from another year in bottle, and dish out tons of pleasure over the following 4-5 years.
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.