Gold Medal– 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Sonoma County has a long history of wine growing, dating back well into the 19th Century, but prohibition hit the area hard, and Sonoma doesn't seem to have as many historic wineries as nearby Napa. In fact, we've heard that Sonoma county didn't surpass the pre-prohibition area of planted vineyards until the early 2000s! While today's winery doesn't date back as far as that, for the area, Russian River Vineyards, founded in 1963, counts as an old timer. They were also an early adopter of organic viticulture, and with a new ownership team in place, the quality of the wines just seems to keep getting better.
The 2008 Russian River Vineyards "Bella" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a light, pale garnet color. The nose is very high-toned with cranberry and cherry dominating, yet accompanied by captivating undertones of anise, cocoa, and underbrush. The palate is equally red-fruit driven, with cherry and briary raspberry. This a wonderfully pretty wine, light in body, with plenty of acidity, yet the flavors are expansive on the palate, with smooth, elegant tannin lingering on the finish. Pairs gracefully with food, making this versatile wine perfect for risotto, stew, braised beef or many other dishes. This is a must have for any true Pinot fan, an unbelievable value for Pinot Noir, especially from the cool, low-yielding vineyards of the Sonoma Coast. Grab this one in bulk and enjoy it over the next several years!
Appellation: Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley
Varietal composition: Pinot Noir
Harvest Date: 10/1/08
Alcohol: 13.9%
Aged: 15 months in 30% New Tonnellerie Sirigue French Oak
Released: 6/1/10
Production: 523 cases
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92 Points
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97 Points
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95 Points
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94 Points
Juice explodes out right of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor. The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and keeps you running back for more. Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa. It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving.
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Gold Medal
Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
94 Points
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92 Points
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