92 Pts Pinot Report

"Medium ruby color; earthy, forward red cherry aromas; deep, rich red cherry flavors with herbs and earthy notes; sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Forward, deep cherry flavors and silky texture make this a great Pinot to sip by itself." 92 Points - Pinot Report

VINEYARDS:
"Our search for the ideal location to grow world class Pinot noir and Syrah led us directly to the Russian River Valley where fog-cooled climate and rich alluvial soils provide the perfect conditions for growing Pinot noir and other "cool climate" grape varieties."

"The history of grape growing in our region begins with the early Russian settlers who were the first emigrants to settle the area and plant vines. A little known fact is that these plantings, which begin in 1817, were the earliest in northern California, antedating those of Padre Jose Altimira in Sonoma Valley. The region became an official American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1983 and its boundaries underwent an expansion in 2005. The area now boasts over 15,000 acres of vineyards, 200 grape growers and 75 wineries."

"The Russian River winds its serpentine 110-mile course from Mendocino County to the Pacific Ocean at the Sonoma coastal town of Jenner, an approximate 30-minute drive west of Russian Hill Estate Winery. The Russian River Valley takes its name from the middle portion of the river as it passes through Sonoma County. Just east of the coastal hills, this is an area of maximal summer maritime incursion, producing foggy, cool mornings that give way to bright, sunny temperate days."

"The cooling effect of the fog during summer daylight hours slows the ripening of the grapes resulting in longer “hang times” and, thereby, fuller flavor development. The combination of nighttime fog and daytime sunshine also results in large diurnal temperature differences, conditions which help grapes maintain their natural acidity producing wines with structure and the potential for aging." -Winemaker

ESTATE:
"Russian Hill Estate, a family owned and operated winery, is located in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Using the utmost care from vineyard to bottle, Russian Hill is dedicated to the production of world-class Pinot noir and Syrah. The key philosophy of the winery is to maintain the highest degree of excellence in viticultural and winemaking practices to allow wines to fully express the various vineyards that are their source." -Winery