Grapes are picked by hand early each morning into small bins and hand-sorted before a gentle destemming. During the four-day cold soak and the eight-to-twelve-day fermentation, the wine is punched down by hand in small, open-top fermenters. On completion of fermentation the wine is gently basket pressed and gravity racked into the barrels. We aged this Pinot Noir in a regimen of one-third each of new, one-year and two-year old French oak. After resting for 11 months, the final blend was assembled and prepared for bottling. It then evolved in the bottle for an additional six months.
This wine offers an elegant array of red berries, cranberries, and cherry cola, complemented by savory spices and a hint of black tea. The nose is uplifted by a sweet and spicy vanilla note from the oak barrels, enhancing its fresh earthiness. On the palate, this Pinot Noir is beautifully structured with smooth, fine tannins that underscore the warm spices and vibrant red berry flavors. Balanced medium acidity and a juicy, vibrant core lead to a medium-length finish, making this wine a perfect representation of the Russian River Valley’s finesse and complexity.
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This vintage of our Pinot Noir expresses classic Russian River elegance and flavors of dark fruits and forest floor complexity. This wine is round, silky, and elegant with a juicy mid-palate and a wonderful long finish, expressing all the hallmarks and elegance of a great Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
Download Winemaker NotesAlcohol
14.3%TA
5.9 gms/LPH
3.6RS
0.9 gms/LComposition
100% Pinot NoirFermentation
100% Tank FermentedPairs well with
Beef, Lamb, Mushrooms, Root VegetableAppellation
Appellation
The Russian River Valley is one of the pinnacle areas for Pinot Noirs, known for making rich and flavorful, world-class Pinot Noir.
Why is this? One of the many reasons is the fog. Every day the fog is drawn in from the Pacific Ocean and can decrease the air temperature by as much as 40 degrees. This creates a cooler growing temperature that high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes require and gives the wines a touch more natural acidity for balance and complexity. Try Sonoma-Cutrer’s Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that exemplifies the exceptional quality of fruit grown in the Russian River Valley.
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