Winemaker Notes
Aromatics of black cherry, raspberry, and clove. On the palate there is plum, black tea, and black currants.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was matured for 10 months in 30% new French oak. The nose is bursting with scents of pomegranate, blackberry, oolong tea leaves, damp earth and mushrooms. The full-bodied palate is powerfully styled with concentrated, spicy flavors. It’s framed by dusty tannins and fresh acidity and has a long, spicy finish.
-
Wine Enthusiast
This pure and focused Pinot delivers aromas of Bing cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, orange, and black tea on the nose. The palate shows flavors of concentrated cranberry, juicy cherry, plum skin and shiitake before a finish with echoes of Darjeeling and nori.
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.