Winemaker Notes
The 2006 Twomey Russian River Pinot Noir is a beautifully balanced wine that expresses great elegance and depth. It displays a red sapphire color and aromas of dried rose petal, strawberry jam, potpourri and cinnamon. The initial impression on the palate is of fresh strawberry and cherry, followed by a generous fullness, good acid balance and a long finish of dried herbs.
Twomey Pinot Noir originates in the heart of the Russian River Valley, legendary for its extraordinary Pinot Noir. Our nine-acre West Pin vineyard is the ideal site for this temperamental grape, with a climate that's cool enough to preserve its delicate character but warm enough to ripen the fruit consistently each year. The vineyard is planted with a mix of Dijon, Pommard and Martini clones, with each contributing different characteristics to the final blend.
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.