Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A vineyard for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Allen is exquisitely detailed in this textured bottling that's weighty, with a tannin backdrop and replete with savory fruit. Wild strawberry, Bing cherry and black tea stand out, with an undercurrent of lushness that's hard to resist.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Nicely ripened and fairly precise but a bit held back in the nose and a little tighter than most of its siblings on the palate, this medium-full-bodied youngster is drawn along slightly firmer, more acidy lines and very clearly wants a few years in which to relax and blossom. There is no doubting that it will, but just when and how much is hard to predict, and we would opt to set it aside for now and check in on its progress after a few years have passed.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard has a dark ruby/purple-tinged color, notes of forest floor, and loads of raspberries and black cherries. It is medium-bodied, offers good acidity, and should age beautifully for 10 years. Rating: 90+
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.