2021 Flowers Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Flowers Vineyard & Winery is a 321-acre estate on a ridge on the northern Sonoma Coast. It was established in 1989 when Walt and Joan Flowers purchased the land. The Flowers had owned a nursery in Pennsylvania, but had long wanted to combine their love of agriculture with their interest in winemaking. The estate makes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay only, using organic and sustainable farming practices. Wine reviewers have given the wines high compliments. Matt Kramer of Wine Spectator has written that Flowers wines are among a small group of U.S. Pinot Noirs that are approaching Burgundian Grand Cru-like quality.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.