2017 Russian River Pinot Noir

Moving to the reds, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was all destemmed (as are all the Pinot Noirs here) and was brought up 11 months in just 20% new French oak. Its ruby/plum and translucent hue is followed by a savory nose of mulled black cherry and currant fruits interwoven with lots of spice, forest floor, earth, and bouquet garni. Textured and medium-bodied, with good acidity and great balance, I suspect it's going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age and should have a decade or more of overall longevity. With the wines made by Matt Courtney, this Russian River estate continues to make some of the best wines in the vintage.

The 2017 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is bold, luscious and easy to drink. Sweet tobacco, cedar, mint, licorice and orange peel add nuance to this super-expressive Russian River Pinot. I would prefer to cellar it for a year or two. It is a stellar wine at the appellation level. There is a lot going on in this wine of great aromatic presence.

Moving to the reds, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was all destemmed (as are all the Pinot Noirs here) and was brought up 11 months in just 20% new French oak. Its ruby/plum and translucent hue is followed by a savory nose of mulled black cherry and currant fruits interwoven with lots of spice, forest floor, earth, and bouquet garni. Textured and medium-bodied, with good acidity and great balance, I suspect it's going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age and should have a decade or more of overall longevity.