Winemaker's Notes
This is from a site at the furthest southern edge of the Russian River Valley AVA where the coastal influence is strongest. It causes a challenge to the vines in the Spring while they are trying to bloom due to cold temperatures that inhibit full pollination giving smaller berries and very low yields. This foggy, wind-swept location is on the leeward side of the hillside so it is protected just enough to actually succeed ripening on a reliable basis. Due to the small berry size, the concentration of the red wine is significant.
Orange zest and peonies first greet the nose. As usual for this bottling, it is quite concentrated and full of verve, spicy, iodine-like notes which arise to balance the concentrated dark and red fruits like high voltage alternating current. It has a firm structure and very mouth-watering finish.
Antonio Galloni’s take on the wine: ‘The 2018 Pinot Noir High Slopes stands out in this range with its dark, dense fruit and imposing structure. Black Cherry, plum, lavender, cloves, incense, and leather convey brooding intensity…95 Points’
Judi Scherrer –
Vinous – August 2022
The 2018 Pinot Noir High Slopes stands out in this range with its dark, dense fruit and imposing structure. Black Cherry, plum, lavender, cloves, incense, and leather convey brooding intensity. The 2018 is a powerhouse. This site at the southern part of the Russian River AVA, naturally produces rich, concentrated fruit becuase of its cool, windy location. Give it a year or two in bottle. It’s another tremendous wine from Fred Scherrer. 95 points. Antonio Galloni