Winemaker Notes
Showcasing the earthier side of Pinot Noir, Bucher is typified by a dense core of raspberry fruit with a loamy and meaty character. With air, the wine opens to more delicate notes of flowers with hints of Herbs de Provence. The aromatic profile comes through on the palate and is wrapped up with robust tannins that linger on the finish. With a few years of age, the wine will come together and develop a sublime creamy texture.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
An earthy and savory nose of walnuts, black fruit, moss and bark. Full-bodied and elegant. The fruit is rich, but remains lean and well balanced. Silky tannins, warming spice and subtle, peat-like smokiness. A lovely wine.
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Wine Enthusiast
Brooding in black cherry, forest floor and black tea, this wine offers a plush texture, with a gamy note just beneath. Cardamom and orange peel mingle around integrated, subtle oak and an herbal finish.
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.