Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aged in 50% new French oak, the pale ruby colored 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is scented of red currants, warm wild blackberries, cinnamon, cranberries and rhubarb with notes of oolong tea leaves, orange peel, woodsmoke and underbrush. The palate is light to medium-bodied with a good interplay of crunchy fruit, spice and earthy flavors, softly framed and with a long, very juicy finish. 625 cases produced.
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James Suckling
A very nice Russian River Valley pinot noir with pleasant cherries, rather elegant tannins and quite good length.
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.