2023 Pinot Noir Pommard Clone Russian River Valley
96 points ~ Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com
“Medium-bodied, it’s light on its feet, with more vertical lift compared to the Bucher Vineyard bottling, revealing notes of cinnamon through the finish alongside fine tannins and a silkly texture. I love this wine — it has real levity.”
93+ points John Gilman, View from the Cellar
“The bouquet is deep and complex, wafting from the glass in a fine blend of black cherries, plums, dark chocolate, a lovely dollop of sweet Sonoma herbs, dark soil tones, incipient notes of cola and a classy framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and complex, with a beautiful core of fruit, lovely soil inflection, fine-grained tannins and lovely balance on the long, classy finish.”
Double Gold Medal ~ 2025 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Tasting Notes
A woodsy essence weaves through cherry, plum, vanillin oak and a touch of floral, creating an appealing potpourri of aromas. The creamy entry imparts layers of flavors — bright cherry, mulberry preserves, red raspberry and rooibos tea. Hints of blood orange, cedary pine and minerality add interest and complexity, while supple tannins and toasty oak provide the optimal backdrop for this well-balanced and refined single-clone Pinot Noir.
Winemaker's Notes
The 2023 growing season was one of the best we’ve seen in years, thanks to ideal growing conditions. We had record winter rains that recharged the soil and pushed bud break back a few weeks. Then a cool, foggy summer let the grapes ripen slowly and evenly without any heat spikes. Harvest started mid- September, about three weeks later than usual. Yields were average to slightly light, the fruit quality was exceptional with great concentration and beautiful phenolic maturity.
Critics are calling 2023 a benchmark vintage with the balance and elegance that reminds people of some of the great cool years from the past. These wines should age beautifully for eight to twelve years or more.
Production Notes
143 cases produced
Cooperage Notes
10 months in French oak ~ 50% new Boutes and François Frères oak barrels and 50% 1 -3 year Françoise Frères oak barrels