Winemaker's Notes
I believe this to be our sneakiest Russian River Valley (RRV) bottling to date because the bottle seems to empty itself without one’s knowledge or permission. In 2006 most Pinot Noir vineyards tended toward larger than normal clusters, often fooling people as to the real crop load. These tight clusters had more of a tendency toward botrytis rot than normally looser ones. Overcropping and unhealthy fruit in the fermenter could result in ‘thin’ wines lacking depth and longevity. Due to careful thinning in the vineyard, ripening pre-rain, extremely vigilant sorting at the winery, and sound traditional winemaking techniques we took full advantage of the highs of the vintage (texture and seamlessness) while avoiding the pitfalls of negligence and complacency. This is how committed producers can beat the odds when faced with a vintage that actually requires some extra effort.
The texture of this young wine is amazing. It has great balance between framing structure and silkiness to make those of us known for restraint, pull the cork without a thought. As usual for our Pinot Noirs, it should flatter itself more thoroughly as the next year passes, but I have no reservations about seeing it on wine lists this spring. Rose petal, rose hips, red cherry, fresh loam, slight cola aromas morph into varying combinations depending on what food is at hand or in mouth.
Judi Scherrer –
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – May 2009
Dark red. Spicy raspberry and cherry on the nose. A fresh, focused midweight, offering sweet cherry and red berry preserve flavors, hints of mint and rose, and good back-end snap. Refreshingly taut pinot with very good finishing clarity and a strong echo of tangy red berries. 89 points. Josh Raynolds,
Judi Scherrer –
Allen Meadows Burghound – July 2009
A ripe, pure and densely fruited nose combines fresh red pinot and blue berry fruit aromas that complement rich, delicious, complex and concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess a moderately robust character that is supported by dusty tannins and excellent length. This is a big but not inelegant effort blessed with fine underlying material and is a wine that should reward mid-term cellaring. 90/2013+,
Judi Scherrer –
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – Feb 2010
The 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River is a beauty. Earthy, plum, black cherry, cola, and foresty/underbrush scents jump from the glass of this dark ruby/plum-tinged offering. Medium to full-bodied, broad, savory, and opulent, this luscious wine is packed with juicy Pinot fruit. Drink it over the next 5–6 years. Consistently fine wines with considerable personality/individuality are produced by Fred Scherrer. 90 points, Robert Parker
Judi Scherrer –
California Grapevine – October 2008
Medium-light ruby color; attractive, fragrant, complex, cranberry and ripe cherry fruit aroma with notes of clove and vanilla; full body; forward, rich, textured, ripe cherry fruit flavors; well balanced and structured; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very approachable now though deserving a few more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended. 90 Points. Nick Ponomareff