Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Delicious. Elegant and spicy, delicate style, with vibrant, succulent black cherry and raspberry flavors that are rich, intense and concentrated, turning elegant and supple on a long, lively finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The powerhouse 2001 Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard (359 cases) reveals copious quantities of raspberry and cherry fruit intertwined with hints of flowers, crushed rocks, wood, and autumnal/leafy notes. It explodes on the palate with great richness, power, and density, which obscure some hefty tannin
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.