Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Reviews

Pure and direct, with a core of cherry, plum and wild berry that gains depth and nuance before tightening up on the finish, where the tannins reign. -JL

Best Buy

For his 2013 appellation wine, winemaker Brian Maloney selected fruit from four vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley, including Heintz at the cool western edge of Green Valley and Becnel in the warmer hills along Westside Road. His gentle treatment of the fruit and use of mostly older barrels allows quiet, savory aromas of forest mushrooms and sandalwood to lead the way. The flavors slowly build toward a pure, rosy, red-fruited glow that's mouthwatering and gentle, yet utterly persuasive. The wine also happens to be a steal - and it would be delicious with sauteed mushrooms. 

SILVER

SILVER

SILVER

Raspberry syrup and rose hips mark the entry of this wine, an relatively affordable offering from the appellation. Softly layered in red and black cherry as well as more brambly blackberry, it takes on additional complexity in its specks of baking spice, mostly cardamom, before a finish robust in tannin says adieu. —V.B. 

This is really quite pretty with its pure and fresh essence of red pinot fruit nose. There is good vibrancy to the lush and very supple flavors that possess both fine volume and texture that continue onto the acceptably complex and persistent finish that displays a very mild hint of warmth. This is attractive for the price, particularly as a choice to consume young.

An excellent choice for a regular, go-to Pinot, this is intense, with spicy floral scents and loamy earth, watermelon and dried berry notes that firm on the finish. Drink now through 2021.

An excellent choice for a regular, go-to Pinot, this is intense, with spicy floral scents and loamy earth, watermelon and dried berry notes that firm on the finish. Drink now through 2021. 5,000 cases made. —J.L.

Classic ruby. A ripe and restrained nose of red berries and subtle spice notes leads to energetic and well-detailed middle weight flavors that culminate in a dusty, clean and ever-so-mildly austere finish. There is a trace of warmth to the acceptably complex and agreeably persistent finale that is slightly attenuated.

Fresh and snappy, displaying moderate weight and deptgh, with zesty strawberry and watermelon flavors, followed by a light finish.

PINOT NOIR FINALIST. Excellent. Highly recommended.

A fresh and very pretty, indeed perfumed nose of ripe red pinot fruit give way to round, supple and easy to like flavors that culminate in a somber but complex and reasonably persistent finish. This forward effort is already drinking well.

At first this is a tumble of forest scents, from mushrooms to conifer and eucalyptus. Then is shades toward eggplant purple in its fruit, with wood spice lasting. As it settles down in the glass, the fruit becomes bosky and dusky while holding that spice. Decant if for braised rabbit. *Best Buy

With a thick coating of caramelized oak and masses of ripe, jammy fruit, this Pinot tastes sweet. But it's complex in its own way, with a pleasant scour of acidity. Drink now with mushroom risotto, lamb chops or, for the best of all worlds, both. -S.H.