Vineyard Profile:
Christina’s Vineyard in the Russian River Valley experienced unique climatic conditions in the 2022 vintage. The year was characterized by limited rainfall, an early frost in the season, a warm spring, and an early summer. Despite these conditions, the vineyard produced lighter-than-average yields, but the fruit quality was reportedly stunning. Smaller berries and cluster sizes led to a concentration of flavors, suggesting a stellar 2022 vintage for the Russian River Valley. The hallmark foggy mornings and evenings typical of this appellation provided the needed respite from the warmth, contributing to the extended ripening period.
Winemaker’s Notes:
The 2022 Pinot Meunier distinguishes itself immediately with a brilliant, vibrant violet-red hue—the intensity of color hints at the concentrated flavors resulting from the season’s smaller berry sizes. On the nose, a fragrant array of red fruits like ripe cherries and cranberries are intermingled with heightened notes of cedarwood and spices.
On the palate, the wine offers an amplified expression of bright and ripe red fruit flavors, a testament to the warm spring and early summer, delivering a heightened concentration of flavors. The backbone of firm acidity and soft, velvety tannins lend structure and depth to the wine, making the palate experience both complex and gratifying. The finish, layered with pronounced notes of sassafras and dark chocolate, leaves a lingering impression and a yearning for the next sip.
While the 2022 vintage is beautifully balanced and pleasurable upon release, it is anticipated that cellaring this bottling for 4-5 years will allow the fruit character to soften, making way for secondary notes of tobacco, leather, and wet river rock to emerge, adding to the complexity and richness of the wine.
