Label: 2006, Scherrer, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir, Alcohol 14.5% by volume

Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, 2006

$ 180.00

While grown primarily in the sandy Goldridge soil, which tends to produce Pinot Noir with flavors of red fruits and orange peel, this wine also illustrates some of the deep, brooding black cherry character generally found in the region’s clay soils. It was bottled without fining or filtration, and should age gracefully for a handful of years.

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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.

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