Winemaker's Notes
This is a ten-acre vineyard that I’ve worked with parts of since 2006. Glen and Pam Gunsalus are still highly involved in day-to-day operations, striving to provide the best fruit possible from this site, making it a joy to work together. They planted different rootstocks on the site according to soil conditions and sprinkled different clones of Pinot Noir here and there as though creating a decorative quilt. After working with several parts of this quilt, I have settled into one of these patches quite comfortably for the past 14 years or so providing what I am looking for in this section of the Russian River Valley.
Soaring floral perfumes at first lead to comforting red beets and cocoa powder. Rather full-bodied for a Pinot Noir from this neighborhood, it refuses to be heavy or stand still for a moment as it glides along effortlessly over the palate, which is a specialty of Pinot Noir. Flavors of beets, mincemeat, red zinger tea, appear as a very slow-motion explosion on the mid-palate. On the finish, there is a hibiscus note as its structural tannins weigh in just before the lively acidity drives the train off into the horizon.
Judi Scherrer –
Vinous – June 2023
The 2019 Pinot Noir Gunsalus Vineyard is packed with juicy dark blue fruit, spice, tobacco, licorice and leather. Dense and bold, the Gunsalus is quite heady in 2019, with striking mid-palette depth and terrific balance. This extroverted Pinot should drink well for a number of years. It’s not a shy wine, that much is clear. 92 Points – Antonio Galloni