95 Points, Double Gold - American Fine Wine Competition
94 Points - Wine Spectator
93 Points - James Suckling
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
In the Russian River Valley, the "top shelf" usually starts at $75 and climbs quickly into the triple digits. Everything about this wine fits that "blue-chip" profile—except for today's price.
To craft this 2023, Bricoleur brought in the big guns. Bob Cabral joined the team to bring his "sixth sense" for expressive sites to this estate. The result is a wine with that iconic, fruit-forward Russian River elegance with soaring aromatics of Bing cherry, raspberry, cedar spice and beautifully integrated French oak that supports this pristine fruit. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
The Pedigree: An Elite Vineyard Neighborhood
Sourced from a premier Windsor estate that formerly supplied fruit to icons like Paul Hobbs and Merry Edwards, this Pinot sits in the literal shadows of Williams-Selyem and Kistler.
The Craft: The Master's Signature
Under the guidance of Bob Cabral and Associate Winemaker Tom Pierson, this vintage utilizes sur lie aging to prioritize a silky texture and soaring floral aromatics.
The Vibe: Sophisticated Sonoma Freshness
This is "sunlight in a glass"—trading heavy extraction for a vibrant, energetic profile of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice that feels like a high-end afternoon in the Russian River Valley.
The Final Verdict: A Rare Market Anomaly
Securing a 96-point vintage from a $65 tasting-room exclusive for just $39 is a mechanical anomaly, offering elite "blue-chip" pedigree without the triple-digit price tag.
Food Pairings
The wine's freshness and woven tannins make it incredibly versatile. Try with:
Winemaker Notes
The winemaking for this 2023 Pinot Noir represents a powerful generational bridge between Sonoma legend Bob Cabral and rising star Tom Pierson. Cabral—the visionary who achieved the first 100-point North American Pinot Noir during his 17-year tenure at Williams-Selyem—collaborated on every critical decision, from precise vineyard sourcing to the final blend.
Bricoleur Vineyard’s 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was carefully handpicked, with 10% of the grapes added whole cluster and the rest destemmed into an open-top fermenting tank, then cold soaked for three days before being brought up to temperature for fermentation. Punchdowns were performed twice daily during fermentation to help with color, flavor, and gentle phenolic extraction. The wine aged sur lie for ten months.
Vintage
The 2023 growing season was a much-welcomed change of pace, as above-average winter rainfall replenished aquifers and left soil profiles fully saturated to start the growing season. A cool, slow progression into spring delayed bud break and prolonged flowering, generally slowing the start to the season and the timeline of grape development. Veraison was two to three weeks behind compared to recent vintages.
Winemakers: Bob Cabral & Tom Pierson
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Bricoleur Vineyards, Charles Heintz & Tina Marie
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast
Harvest Date: September 20, 2023 & October 10, 2023
Bottling Date: July 29, 2024
Release Date: October 1, 2025
Aging: 10 months in French Oak (35% New, 25% Once-Used, 40% Neutral)
Cellar Potential: Peak drinking window between 2026 and 2033
Alcohol: 14.4%
Vintage Report: "Vintners who waited into late October made stunning wines... gorgeous aromas with underlying succulence." — 96 Points, Wine Spectator
Allocations of Bricoleur rarely leave the winery—especially at the best price in the country. Secure special shipping before the cellar door closes.
Download Full Technical Sheet & Cellar Notes
94 Point Vintage
Deep garnet core with an elegant ruby-brick rim—a striking sign of its library maturity. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, and macerated blackberry, seamlessly transitioning into sophisticated layers of cedar, graphite, crushed violet, and cured tobacco. A savory accent of bay laurel, cocoa nib, and warm earth adds impressive intrigue. The palate delivers dense dark fruit framed by velvety, melted tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lifted and fresh. Finishes long and seamlessly, lingering with espresso, black plum, aged leather, and a fine crushed-stone minerality.
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.
Exceptional
In the glass this wine open with aromas of ripe black cherry, bark, cedar, dried orange peel, a touch of black pepper. The palate equally rich with flavors expanding into notes of fresh picked cherry, chocolate, and crushed stone and a touch of white pepper. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish make a fantastic wine.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
94 Points
A full-throttle, blackberry-driven red, laden with chalky minerality and layered with robust tannins. Violet scents mingle with fig and plum fruit in a medium- to full-bodied expression that hits all the right chords, delivering a pleasing one-two punch to the senses.
94 Points
Dark purple in color it opens with explosive aromas of wild blackberry, and a touch of vanilla oak. The palate is bursting with ripe juicy flavors of boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry, accented by layers of cedar, cacao, cinnamon and briary spice. It’s bold enough to stand up to any BBQ, yet smooth enough to sip on the patio as the sun goes down. Enjoy now and for the next 6-8 years.
