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Russian River Valley
2021 River West Pinot Noir
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Winemaking Notes
Showing off its warmer-site characteristics, the River West Pinot opens with a dusty, spicy, cinnamon aromatic that gives way to cherry, which is interestingly confectioned to a degree, and some rose petal and cola. The flavors turn toward strawberry, continues with rose petal, and adds savory mushroom. The
mouthfeel is silky and soft, with balanced acidity, firming slightly on the finish with ageable tannins.
Vineyard Notes
This is the inaugural vintage of Davis Bynum River West Pinot Noir. It shows classic characteristics of the warmer Middle Reach neighborhood – savory tones, laden with baking spice, red fruits, balanced acidity, and tannins to age. Over half of the wine was made from the Wente selection Pinot and fermented with 20% whole cluster, which added a boost in acidity and some spice. About a third of the wine is Pommard Pinot, which was blended in for smoother mouthfeel and savory leather tones. A smaller amount of Dijon clone 115 from the upper terrace added some concentrated red fruit to the aromatics.
Production Notes
The 2021 vintage was mild and dry. Seasonable weather made for very pleasant spring and summer days. Due to the even temperatures, we predicted an early harvest, but we found that the blocks were ripening slow and steady and needed a little more time to ripen than in previous vintages. Dijon clone 115 Pinot planted on the upper terrace always ripens first due to the great drainage, low yields, and warmth. After picking the clone 115 on Aug 30, we waited ten days before hand-picking the Wente block on Sept 9 and the Pommard block from the lower bench a few days after that.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Acid
0.64g/100mL
pH
3.40
Aging
14 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 64% new
Alcohol %
14.5
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