Winemaker Notes
The Trione 2018 Russian River Ranch Pinot Noir is an excellent example of the variety. While Burgundian in origin, the Trione Pinot shows its Russian River boldness and perfect fruit expression. A great complexity of earthiness, fruit forwardness, and elemental boldness, this wine is very expressive. It lingers on the palate for a smooth, light to medium bodied mouthfeel.
Pair this with your favorite roasted duck or turkey dishes, dried fruits, hard cheeses, or drink on its own.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Best described as a most expressive red from the Middle Reach neighbor- hood, this wine is like a graceful dancer in a dramatic scene. pirouetting atop a bed of roses to ginger and beet before taking a bow with cranberry. On the mid palate, earthy mushroom takes a stand with a hint of sassafras and white pepper:
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Jeb Dunnuck
Classic and ripe, the 2018 Pinot Noir River Road Ranch displays a deep ruby color and offers wonderful aromas of baked red cherry, pie spice, cola, and crushed flowers. The palate reveals medium-bodied richness, with some earthier notes coming through on the finish. This is a straightforward and charming wine with a lot of great Russian River Valley character.
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Wine Spectator
This has broadened out, offering an enticing wave of mulled blood orange and mulberry fruit flavors infused with red tea, dried anise, menthol and savory notes. Features lingering tension on the finish, despite the mature profile. Drink now
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.