Winemaker Notes
Heady and concentrated aromas of maraschino cherry, blackberry, creme brulee, star anise and potpourri display the pedigree of this wine. Concentrated berry flavors are complemented by hints of fennel and earth.The concentrated palate has a wonderful entry of raspberry and blackberry fruit that gives way to a mid-palate of rich tannins and a long mocha, cola finish. Hints of black cherry, wild herbs, fennel seed, smoked meat, blood orange and dried flowers typify this wine. Broad tannins are highlighted by the fresh acid backbone of this wine, and the complex array of aromas opens beautifully with air. While this wine is drinking extremely well already, it can only benefit from some time in a cool cellar. This wine will age gracefully.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is classic Russian River, made from the Martini clone grown on a famous site. Offering depth and breadth, it is complex in flavors of black cherry compote and wild strawberry, with underlying notes of tea and rose petal. Fresh acidity provides lift and a Crisp texture.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.