Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lots of lush dark and red fruits followed by lavender and kola nuts with subtle vanilla beans and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, showing beautiful density on the mid-palate. Silky and juicy tannins with refreshing acidity. Outstanding harmony with wonderful drinkability and finesse. Gorgeous.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard, matured for 15 months in 55% new oak, opens with an arresting perfume: blueberry, pomegranate and cara cara orange are lent complexity by wafts of rooibos tea, grenadine and soaring floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate is just as stunning, pairing concentrated, perfumed flavors with dusty tannins and mouthwatering acidity that lures you back to the glass over and over again.
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.