This youthful Pinot Noir is a deep burgundy color and offers aromas of dark fruit and toasty oak. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and cola spice are abundant on the palate. With smooth tannins and fresh acidity, this wine will age nicely.

92 Point Review - Wine Enthusiast

“This tight, classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir needs coaxing to bring out the lovely, lilting aromatics, splendid in savory dark fruit, cinnamon and tobacco. Restrained use of new oak brings a balance of richness and acidity, softened tannins and velvety texture that works in every way.” - Virginie Boone, (8/1/2014)

90 Point Review - PinotFile

“Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy fruit aromas with plenty of toasty oak to the front. Discreetly concentrated flavors of black cherry, blackberry and cola with noticeable freshness and intensity. The fruit core is mildly weighed down by oak, although the oak sheen tends to subside over time in the glass. I would give this wine another year in bottle for the oak to integrate.” - William “Rusty” Gaffney, The Prince of Pinot (May 15, 2014)

Vineyard Notes

Floodgate Vineyard is located in the northern part of the Russian River Valley AVA, within the unofficial sub-region known as the Middle Reach. The vineyard property borders Mark West Creek, which floods every year and submerges the flat areas of the vineyard. We source our fruit from three different blocks of Pinot Noir: Block 12 (planted to clone 777), Block 6 (planted to clone 667), and Block 7B (planted to clone 115). This vineyard is owned by Hambrecht Vineyards and farmed by Warren Burton.