Winemaker Notes
This begins four feet from the end of the South slope and continues to slope to the North. It is 100% French clone 115. The close proximity to the South slope does not influence these flavors as clone 115 exhibits the most fruit driven flavors and appears more "New World" then French.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Pinot Noir The North Slope Vineyard reveals a more introspective and darker tone in the glass. It pours a ruby/magenta hue and is enveloping with notes of polished leather, ripe cherries, lavender perfume, and mossy earth. While medium-bodied, it fills the palate with a more expansive feel, ripe tannins that flesh out, and dark mineral notes building on the finish. It’s a more commanding wine in the range that will benefit from another year or so in cool cellars. Drink 2026-2036.
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.