2023 Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley
94 points ~ Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com
“Medium-bodied, it fills the palate with a rounded texture, silky tannins, refreshing acidity, and mouthwatering clove spice through the finish. There’s a lot of purity and clarity here that I love.”
92 points ~ Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate
“Expressive…This 2023 Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard races out with ready-to-go notes of kirsch, juicy raspberries, and wild strawberries, followed by hints of black pepper and underbrush. The medium-to-full bodied palate is silky and refreshing with vibrant red berry layers and an earthy finish.”
92 points ~ John Gilman, View from the Cellar
2023 Bucher Vineyard bottling of pinot noir from J. Bucher Wines and their winemakers, Morét Brealynn and Adam Lee, . . . was raised in thirty-five percent new oak. The wine’s bouquet is deep, complex and . . . wafting from the glass in a mix of plums, black cherries, a lovely base of soil tones, woodsmoke, a nice dollop of Russian River fresh herb tones and a very suave framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a fine core of fruit, excellent soil undertow, good acids, fine-grained tannins and a long, seamlessly balanced and classy finish. Fine juice.”
Tasting Notes
An enticing nose of plum preserves and muted cherry mingles with fragrant notes of violet and incense. The expressive, smooth entry showcases seamlessly integrated flavors of ripe cherry, mulberry and boysenberry laced with faint traces of loamy earth and forest floor. A touch of red licorice, vanilla and caramel mocha appear late, gently adding complexity as the flavors linger long. A quintessential example of a Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley’s Middle Reach.
Winemaker's Notes
The 2023 growing season for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley was defined by unique weather patterns that created an exceptional vintage. Morning fog and coastal breezes kept the vines cool, resulting in slow ripening and extended hang time that pushed harvest dates much later than usual. Overall, 2023 is considered an outstanding year for Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, with wines showing elegance, aromatic complexity, freshness, and concentration that reflect the benefits of this extended, cool growing season.
Production Notes
693 cases produced
Cooperage Notes
10 months in French oak ~ 35% in new François Frères oak barrels and 65% 1 - 3 year-old French oak barrels