Winemaker Notes
Sonoma-Cutrer 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir is a beautiful and delicate example of why Russian River Valley Pinot Noir makes a wonderful rosé. The wine reveals a beautiful, light salmon color that catches the light in the glass and opens up to aromas of tangerine, wild strawberry, raspberry, a light touch of watermelon and perfumed rose petals. A crisp, refreshing mouthfeel accentuates the fresh fruit ?avors of red berry fruit and a tropical twist that leads to a long, juicy and tangy ?nish. It is the perfect warm weather wine to enjoy all season.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Whether it’s playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it’s commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.