Winemaker Notes
As this wine is poured into your glass, you will notice its beautiful, dark ruby red color. This is a classic Russian River Pinot Noir that expresses aromas and flavors of dark fruit. The first impression starts in the nose with aromas of intense blackberry, cola and black raspberry followed by a touch of vanilla and hints of rhubarb, baking spice, licorice, dark chocolate and earth. The wine is richly textured and balanced with a beautiful brightness. Flavors of black cherry, tobacco and sweet barrel spice shine throughout. Fine tannins round out the long, juicy finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A neatly cut array of refined red and black cherries in a pristinely cast style. The palate has an elegant and neatly defined core of supple, long and ripe fruit flavor and carries a wealth of crisp, fresh, cherry-soaked tannins at the finish. Drink now.
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Wine Enthusiast
Juicy tones of black fruit and strawberry highlight this well-made, earthy wine, which was fermented in tank before spending nearly a year in oak. Medium in weight, yet dark and brooding, it shows secondary notes of cola, baking spice and vanilla.
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.