2023 Pinot Noir Opa's Block Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley
95 points ~ Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com
“The nose reveals black raspberries, black cherries, licorice, darker flowers, and sappy earth. Medium to full-bodied, it expands beautifully across the palate, with ripe tannins, gamey iron richness, and good overall length.”
94 points ~ John Gilman, View from the Cellar
“It offers up a refined and nicely black fruity bouquet of sweet dark berries, black cherries, raw cocoa, a beautiful base of soil, black tea, a nice touch of whole clusters and a gentle framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, focused and full-bodied, with an excellent core of fruit, beautiful soil transparency and grip, ripe, buried tannins and a long, vibrant and seamlessly balanced, complex finish. . . . First class pinot.”
Tasting Notes
A fragrant, perfumey nose offers inviting aromas of Morello cherry, rhubarb and pomegranate woven with traces of violet, oak and loamy earth. The round, elegant entry showcases rich yet subdued red fruit flavors — cherry, plum and wild raspberry — that mingle with subtle notes of hibiscus tea, orange citrus, incense and a woodsy spice. Well-balanced acidity and a gentle frame of fine tannins and mocha-laced oak perfectly complement the complexity of flavors to create an expressive, delicious Pinot Noir.
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
62 cases produced
Cooperage Notes
10 months in French oak barrels ~ 34% new François Frères oak barrels and 66% 1 year-old François Frères and Boutes oak barrels