The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Russian River Valley

Varietal   Pinot Noir

Retail Price   $66

ABV   14.47%

Score   4.5 Stars/95 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

The aromatics are intense, offering scents of boysenberry, five spice, and red currant with supporting notes of oak, hibiscus flower, tart cherry, and lavender.

The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of red cherry, ripe wild strawberry, mulberry, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins.

Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture.

Cool Factor

Delicious Russian River Valley Pinot Noir made in small lots by gifted winemakers will always be cool.

Value Grade

This is not your everyday wine but it is the sort of wine your reach for on holidays, birthdays, and your most inspired dinner parties.

Analysis

Papapietro Perry are Pinot Noir specialists, with 10 of their 12 wines on offer featuring this Burgundian grape. Peters Vineyard was Papapietro Perry’s first vineyard-designated wine. The vineyard lies a few miles west of Sebastopol on the edge of the Russian River Valley appellation. It is covered in morning and evening fog, elongating the growing season and creating a rich and complex flavor. Three different Pinot Noir clones (Pommard, 115, and 777) are present in this wine. All three were fermented separately and then blended to reach the desired flavor profile. After a cold soak of two to three days, the wine is fermented for seven to 12 days with the cap punched down by hand up to four times a day. Post-fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak (50% new) for 11 months. The result is spectacular.

How to Enjoy

We love the easy charm of this wine and it needs nothing but a glass. As a food pairing serve with a grilled strip steak or pan-seared duck breast. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes before serving.