About the Wine

Once upon a time—long before Sonoma's Westside Road became the Rodeo Drive of Pinot Noir— Pinots were made with great restraint. The grape itself held tremendous power but it was up to the winemaker to harness that energy while exhibiting the self-discipline to keep it balanced. Ballet versus hip-hop. Mozart versus Metallica.

This 2013 Russian River is full of ripe strawberry and bright cherry aromas and flavors. Subtle earthiness grounds it with hints of cedar, round tannins, and a long but clean, crisp finish. A Russian River Pinot's fruity intensity is there, but accomplished with elegance and finesse.

Pinot Noir deserves sumptuous food. Pair with pate', duck (confit is particularly tasty), salmon, or a rich mushroom risotto. And don't forget the beef—a Russian River's ripe juciness complements beef tenderloin beautifully, whether it's grilled or offered as carpaccio—just don't forget the truffles!