Come for the Wine: November 2024

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Varietal of the Month: Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is light bodied with moderate to high acidity and alcohol levels between 12-15% that makes it eminently pair worthy with a wide range of foods. A cool climate grape, Pinot Noir can be finicky and difficult to grow, but it is also expressive and reflective of the place where it’s grown. Here in Sonoma County, in the Russian River Valley and along the Sonoma Coast, we have some of world’s best vineyards and growing conditions for producing classic Pinot Noir of elegance and complexity.

Here are capsule reviews of Pinot Noir you may find along the Wine Road.

ACTA 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

The ACTA 2021 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley is a blend from two Russian River Valley vineyards. Acta Non Verba means Deeds not Words, the producer’s commitment to doing everything with intention. And this first vintage of Pinot Noir was a revelation! It’s a dance of spice and red fruits with balanced tannins and great acidity On the nose, dark cherry, raspberry and pomegranate with a core of baking spice, vanilla, and a whiff of dried tobacco leaf. On the palate it’s bright and light, yet savory with notes of allspice, cranberry, and fleshy dark cherry. Full of texture and well balanced, it has long smooth finish with a hint of black plum and trace of clove.

ABV 14.5%

$75

Mill Creek 2020 Pinot Noir Swensrud Vineyard, Sonoma County

The Mill Creek 2020 Pinot Noir, Swensrud Vineyard, is truly satisfying. On the nose, a medley of dried strawberry, raspberry, clove, vanilla and earthy notes of mushroom and tobacco leaf. On the palate, a nice balance of fruit, acid and tannin with flavors of tart cherry, hibiscus, rose hips, anise, and a deep grounding note of ripe red plum. It’s balanced and elegant with a long earthy and spicy finish.

ABV 13.6%

$66

Orsi Family 2021 Pinot Noir Eastside Road Vineyard, Russian River Valley

The Orsi Family 2021 Pinot Noir, Eastside Road Vineyard, Russian River Valley is pale ruby in the glass with a slight blue tinge. On the nose hibiscus, spicy carnation, blueberry and cranberry. On the palate a carnival of delight both savory and bright with notes dried strawberry, spun sugar, blood orange and tart cherry. It’s like a tone poem, a veritable ode to Pinot Noir.

ABV 14.1%

$44

Papapietro Perry 2021 Pinot Noir, Nunes Vineyard, Russian River Valley

The Papapietro Perry 2021 Pinot Noir, Nunes Vineyard has all the earmarks of a classic Russian River Valley Pinot. The aromatic nose is composed of dusty rose petal, candied violet, vanilla, raspberry, black cherry and a dash of white pepper. It has great texture with initial notes of plum sauce, wild blueberry, blood orange, raspberry. The mid palate delivers earthy flavors of mushroom, sweet tobacco and baking spice. A long smooth finish is balanced with deep notes of blackberry, cranberry and spicy clove. Age worthy and will develop further complexity over time, but simply delicious right now as well.

ABV 13.1%

$66

Sonoma-Cutrer 2021 Pinot Noir, Les Plus Haut, Russian River Valley

The Sonoma-Cutrer 2021 Pinot Noir, Les Plus Haut has a hypnotic deep purple-blue hue in the glass. The soft aromatic nose has an array of notes including rose water, blueberry, black cherry, strawberry, leather, clove, vanilla, cigar and plum. It’s a heady rush to the olfactory senses. On the palate, a balanced and well-integrated interplay of acid and tannins deliver tart layered flavors of cherry, red raspberry, wild blueberry, smoky fig, rhubarb and a dusting of cocoa. Each sip brings a new facet to savor.

ABV 14.3%

$70

Viszlay Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

The Viszlay Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir is like a sleeping beauty that awakens upon the first sip. It’s alluring and pretty with scents of raspberry, clove, cherry cola, violet, mocha and bright strawberry. On the palate, it’s well balanced with medium acidity, smooth tannins and a delicate purple heart of dark fruits with plum, blackberry, wild blueberry, and fleshy black cherry. The long spicy finish has a wonderful savory note of thyme at the end.

ABV 12.9%

$65