Medium ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley bursts with pure cranberries, black cherries, charcuterie, loamy earth and blood orange aromas. Medium-bodied, it has pleasing graininess and bursts of freshness to support the full, ripe fruits and flavorful finish. This cuvée offers classic Russian River fruit in a very classy frame.

The appellation 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley showed well, with lots of spicy, meaty, underbrush, and foresty notes as well as medium-bodied richness, loads of darker cherry and redcurrant fruit, some smoky background oak, and a great finish. It will benefit from just a few years in the cellar and should see its tenth birthday in fine form. This is a classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that still holds plenty of freshness and structure.

The 2018 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is a very pretty, appellation-level wine. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice and dried herbs give this mid-weight, ethereal Pinot lovely aromatic complexity. Silky tannins add to its considerable appeal. -- Antonio Galloni