Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
There’s a flinty notion to this wine with gunpowder, black berry and ripe strawberry aromas and flavors. Full body, with very fine velvety tannins. Refined and very pretty. Just a hint of meat and chocolate. Seductive.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir Foss Vineyard was matured for 16 months in 61% new oak and takes significant time to open. Initial tones of damp earth and flint eventually give way to raspberry, botanicals and floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate features highly concentrated, layered flavors. It’s structured by abundant, suede-textured tannins and mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long finish replete with a flourish of spicy accents. Rating: 94+
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.