Wine Each Week – Raeburn 2017 Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a dime-a-dozen, so to speak. There are so many producers here because the geology, climate and soil are ideal for growing great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Many of these wines will bust your wallet. But Raeburn’s doesn’t. At a mere $25, this is a terrific Pinot Noir, worthy of your cash.
There is a wonderful acidity from this Russian River Valley fruit that supports black cherry, blackberry, red raspberry, blueberry, light cranberry and a light-roasted hazelnut, and vanilla. Because this wine is so balanced in terms of fruit, wood and acidity, it will make great companionship with the foods on your table. Aged just 11 months in all French oak barrels, a quarter of which were new barrels, it was also fermented in small open top bins. This allows for more fruit structure to come through - and there were two punch downs daily (where the must on top is pressed down into the juice below extracting tannins, flavors and color – in essence mixing it all together). This ends up being a lovely wine that you can afford. The Raeburn is a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that hits every note: flavor, structure, food-friendly, price, and makes you happy that you love wine.

ORIGIN: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

ALCOHOL: 14.5%

PRICE: $25/ 750ML

SCORE: 91 POINTS

Raeburn