Pillow Rd. Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2011

$57

From the owners of Ladera Vineyards on Howell Mountain comes this new Pinot Noir. It took them a few years to find the right vineyard but they finally found such a site located off of Pillow Road in Russian River Valley. This 2011 is just the third vintage and showcases elegance and purity in the glass. Fresh aromas of wild berries, bing cherry and cola are complimented with notes of spearmint and cinnamon spice. The palate is soft and elegant with sweet tannins and lively acidity that provide for a balanced and structured wine capable of long-term aging.

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Ratings on Delectable

Hugh Caspecken

Great after it opened. At the Lark on the Park.

Great after it opened. At the Lark on the Park.

9.6

Andrew Blass

Wonderful. An ideal Pinot Noir. Smooth and full of fruit without being sweet.

Wonderful. An ideal Pinot Noir. Smooth and full of fruit without being sweet.

9.8

Chaad Thomas Delectable Pro

Owner, First Tier Imports

Super nose of pencil shavings and ruby grapefruit, with a touch of cream. Good race on the palate w/ crunchy red fruits like cranberry and more grapefruit. Classic Cali pinot style, in the most elegant sense. A great drink.

Super nose of pencil shavings and ruby grapefruit, with a touch of cream. Good race on the palate w/ crunchy red fruits like cranberry and more grapefruit. Classic Cali pinot style, in the most elegant sense. A great drink.

8.7

Isaac Pirolo

Pillow Rd. Vineyard is situated to the southwest of Sebastopol, not far from the southern tip of the Russian River Valley, and planted to two acres of Chardonnay and seven acres of Pinot Noir. Clones 777, 115, and Pommard made up the first plantings in 2000, with Calera and Swan being added later (replacing Gravenstein apple trees). The vineyard has courted her fair share of suitors, originally being one of Duckhorn’s sources for its Goldeneye Pinot Noir. The first commercial vintage under the Pillow Rd. label was 2006. I’m not sure whether Ladera had entered the scene at that point, but it was definitely in time for their release of the 2009 vintage. In 2016 PlumpJack Group acquired Ladera’s Howell Mountain vineyard and winemaking facility, and while it appears the Pillow Rd. Vineyard wasn’t included in that sale, I haven’t seen anything that spells that out explicitly. Regardless, what is certain is that Napa Cab makers can’t quit this Russian River Pinot vineyard. It had some kinks to work out, but ultimately it’s built for pleasure and not complexity, and it eventually got there. Cherry cola, sassafras, baking spice, butterscotch, and just enough of a citrus edge to keep from losing its balance.

Pillow Rd. Vineyard is situated to the southwest of Sebastopol, not far from the southern tip of the Russian River Valley, and planted to two acres of Chardonnay and seven acres of Pinot Noir. Clones 777, 115, and Pommard made up the first plantings in 2000, with Calera and Swan being added later (replacing Gravenstein apple trees). The vineyard has courted her fair share of suitors, originally being one of Duckhorn’s sources for its Goldeneye Pinot Noir. The first commercial vintage under the Pillow Rd. label was 2006. I’m not sure whether Ladera had entered the scene at that point, but it was definitely in time for their release of the 2009 vintage. In 2016 PlumpJack Group acquired Ladera’s Howell Mountain vineyard and winemaking facility, and while it appears the Pillow Rd. Vineyard wasn’t included in that sale, I haven’t seen anything that spells that out explicitly. Regardless, what is certain is that Napa Cab makers can’t quit this Russian River Pinot vineyard. It had some kinks to work out, but ultimately it’s built for pleasure and not complexity, and it eventually got there. Cherry cola, sassafras, baking spice, butterscotch, and just enough of a citrus edge to keep from losing its balance.

9.0

Ryan Brock

Perfect expression of the Pinot Noir grape from California.

Perfect expression of the Pinot Noir grape from California.

10

Hank Fox

Awesome pinot vino

Awesome pinot vino

9.5

Kris Cross

Great medium body, fruity wine. ☺️

Great medium body, fruity wine. ☺️

9.5

Drew Chambers

Fruity, light, earthy

Fruity, light, earthy

9.1

John Ventimiglia

Excellent Pinot noir

Excellent Pinot noir

WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.