- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES
The 2023 Rodney Strong Limited Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a dazzling expression of elegance and terroir-driven finesse, one that underscores why this storied appellation remains among the most revered for Pinot Noir in California. From the first swirl, the bouquet reveals its pedigree—vivid scents of blue fruit and hibiscus flowers leap from the glass, mingling with a whisper of oak spice and nutmeg. The aromatics are not only fragrant but refined, suggesting a wine that balances exuberance with restraint. On the palate, it delivers a pure and focused core of juicy blueberries and ripe pomegranate, framed by a supple texture and a soft, rounded mouthfeel. The finish, lifted by lithe and playful tannins, is both vibrant and lingering, offering a sense of energy that calls you back for another sip.
The growing season of 2023 was extraordinary and will be remembered as one of the most distinctive in recent history. A cool, wet winter delayed budbreak by several weeks, setting the stage for an unusually long and patient season. Daytime temperatures rarely spiked above the mid-80s, allowing the fruit to ripen with uncommon precision. Harvest arrived more than a month later than in 2022, a rarity in modern California viticulture, and this extended hang time resulted in grapes of exceptional concentration and nuance. The hallmark Russian River Valley climate—morning fog, coastal breezes, and mild afternoons—preserved vibrant acidity while coaxing depth and complexity into every cluster. The result is a Pinot Noir that harmonizes ripe fruit richness with finely etched structure.
In the glass, this wine is a study in balance: its ripe blue fruit and pomegranate tones are perfectly counterpointed by refreshing acidity and delicate spice notes from judicious oak aging. The texture is polished yet pliant, caressing the palate with sophistication rather than force. This seamless integration of fruit, acidity, and tannin makes it remarkably versatile at the table. It shines alongside the earthy richness of duck confit, the savory tenderness of a pork loin roast, or the smoky char of grilled lamb. Yet it retains a brightness and charm that makes it equally enjoyable on its own, as a meditative glass that unfolds new dimensions with time and air.
Rodney Strong’s 2023 Limited Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a wine of character and grace, one that speaks eloquently of its vintage and terroir. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it captures the essence of what makes Russian River Pinot Noir so compelling: purity of fruit, elegance of structure, and an enduring sense of place.
Alcohol: 14.5%
The growing season of 2023 was extraordinary and will be remembered as one of the most distinctive in recent history. A cool, wet winter delayed budbreak by several weeks, setting the stage for an unusually long and patient season. Daytime temperatures rarely spiked above the mid-80s, allowing the fruit to ripen with uncommon precision. Harvest arrived more than a month later than in 2022, a rarity in modern California viticulture, and this extended hang time resulted in grapes of exceptional concentration and nuance. The hallmark Russian River Valley climate—morning fog, coastal breezes, and mild afternoons—preserved vibrant acidity while coaxing depth and complexity into every cluster. The result is a Pinot Noir that harmonizes ripe fruit richness with finely etched structure.
In the glass, this wine is a study in balance: its ripe blue fruit and pomegranate tones are perfectly counterpointed by refreshing acidity and delicate spice notes from judicious oak aging. The texture is polished yet pliant, caressing the palate with sophistication rather than force. This seamless integration of fruit, acidity, and tannin makes it remarkably versatile at the table. It shines alongside the earthy richness of duck confit, the savory tenderness of a pork loin roast, or the smoky char of grilled lamb. Yet it retains a brightness and charm that makes it equally enjoyable on its own, as a meditative glass that unfolds new dimensions with time and air.
Rodney Strong’s 2023 Limited Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a wine of character and grace, one that speaks eloquently of its vintage and terroir. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it captures the essence of what makes Russian River Pinot Noir so compelling: purity of fruit, elegance of structure, and an enduring sense of place.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Socially Rated 4+ / 5 ⭐
Bright aromas of blue fruit and hibiscus flowers. On the palate, juicy blueberries and ripe pomegranate, with subtle undertones of oak spice and nutmeg. Soft, rounded mouthfeel supported on the finish by lithe, playful tannins. Enjoy this pinot with duck confit, pork loin roast or grilled lamb.