2021 Russian River Valley

92 Points: Jim Gordon Wine Enthusiast - June/July 2023

“This sturdy, well-structured wine lifts tasty red- and black-fruit flavors with lively acidity and moderate tannins for an appetizing tex¬ture. Good concentration and depth keep it interesting sip after sip.”

The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes was exceptional. Working with three different vineyards in three different neighborhoods layers aromas and flavors unique to each region. This wine gains dense color and black fruit from Green Valley, floral perfume and spice notes from Laguna Ridge, and red fruit and soft tannins from Crinella. Grapes for our 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot were harvested on September 11, 14, and 17, 2021.

This wine displays the complex, concentrated, and fruit-driven style of Pinot Noir that exemplifies the Russian River Valley. Russian River Valley has been further defined by its six unique “neighborhoods,” which from west to east include Sebastopol Hills, Green Valley, Middle Reach, Laguna Ridge, Santa Rosa Plains, and Eastern Hills. To craft this wine, we work with a handful of top vineyards including fruit from the Dutton family’s Winkler Vineyard in the cool Green Valley region, as well as grapes from both the River Road Ranch in Laguna Ridge and Crinella Vineyard in the Santa Rosa Plains neighborhood.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 14.2
• cases made:

  321

• bottling date: 07/26/2021
• aging:

  French oak barrels, 31% new

• fermentation:

  Gently destemmed into open-top fermenters; three day cold soak; cap punched down twice/day