96 Points, Double Gold - Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Only a 100 cases made.
You'll want to grab as much as you can.
VINEYARD
Peters Vineyard is a topflight Pinot Noir vineyard located in the Russian River just southwest of Sebastopol. Along with the cool climate, the Gold Ridge soils form an idyllic terroir for growing premium Pinot Noir. While Randy Peters grows multiple clones of Pinot on his property, Enkidu sources just Pommard. Pommard can be earthy with great structure that more expresses a masculine texture versus the Dijon clones that have a more feminine tilt. Randy’s vineyard has an abundance of sunshine, but mornings of fog and moderate temperatures give length to the growing season. The low yields of the Peters Vineyard further lend itself to expressive wines of depth and concentration. This is truly a gem in the riches of the Russian River Valley.
WINEMAKING
They hand sort all of the fruit and employ a saignée of 15-20% to concentrate the skins on the juice. After a 5 day cold soak native yeast fermentation begins. With 12-15 days in tank they transfer the free run and first low pressings of high quality must to tank to settle. The wine is then transferred to barrels, 33% new French, where it aged for 15 months. No racking during this period, but periodically stir the barrels that still contain lees. Before bottling they determine what level filtration is required, but most receive minimal attention. Their Pinots are never fined.
VINTAGE
The 2022 vintage in Russian River Valley produced Pinot Noirs characterized by vibrant fruit, exotic spice, and layered texture. The wines show a classic style with notes of red and black fruit, along with hints of cola, earth, and spice. The 2022 season saw a relatively smooth start, with minimal frost incidents and temperate weather during bloom and set. However, a Labor Day weekend heatwave led to higher temperatures, accelerating grape ripening and resulting in earlier-than-average pick dates. Unseasonal rains followed, along with warm autumn weather, which helped with hang time and fruit maturity. The 2022 vintage in Russian River Valley is considered to have produced high-quality Pinot Noirs with excellent structure, great acidity, and fantastic aging potential.
APPELLATION: Russian River Valley
VARIETAL: Pinot Noir, Pommard Clone
HARVEST DATE: August 25th, 2022
AGING: 15 Months in 33% New French oak barrels
BOTTLING DATE: June, 2023
TA: 6.1 gms/L
pH: 3.45
ALCOHOL: 13.8%
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
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