Winemaker Notes
The black cherry, red plum, and toasted spice aromatics hint at the fruit and spice killer combo in this wine. The silky textures open up notes strawberry preserves and cranberry on the palate. This is a wine that has a clear presence and is a testament to the strengths of the Russian River Valley appellation.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very attractive dark berries and cherries are wrapped in aromas of blueberries, subtle spices and violet flowers. The palate has a smooth, sleek and attractively fleshy feel with a concentrated yet approachable build into the long finish. Drink now.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Vaughn Duffy Wines Pinot Noir is lovely and a classic example of what the Russian River Valley can produce. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up with excellent aromas and flavors of black fruit, dried leaves, earth, and oak shading. Pair it with a well-seasoned, oven-baked Porchetta. (Tasted: June 22, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is textured, complex and rich—a good showcase for the appellation. Dense layers of dark cherry and strawberry complement the earthier tones of black tea, forest floor and rhubarb, ending in a robust finish of toasted oak
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.