2021 Riddle Pinot Noir

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Appellation: 100% Russian River Valley

pH: 3.59

TA: 6.27

Oak: aged in 40% new French oak barrels

Perched high above the town of Sebastopol in western Russian River Valley, Riddle Vineyard boasts elevations of 750ft.  Sandy soils cover the landscape, but the vines and canopy look robust and vigorous, picture perfect for a Sonoma Wine Country postcard.  Farmed meticulously by owner James Riddle, every action in the vineyard is done with intention and based on best Viticultural practices.  The vineyard is planted to clones Dijon 115, Mt. Eden, and Pommard.  We fortunately get a selection of each, ensuring optimal complexity and layering of interesting fruit components.

The nose on the 2021 is restrained, but not shy, and shows hints of dried herb, coffee bean, and black tea leaf.  The stand out on this wine is the silkiness of the tannins – they show some complexity, but are more velvet jazz, and carry all the way through the finish.  The palate also carries sensory notes of almond, coffee, and slightly tart red fruit.  The finish is more tart fruit, supportive tannin, and freshly ground cocoa.