Fantastic Pinot Noir is hard to come by, and at the $20 price point, it's a downright challenge. However, we're up to the challenge, and we feel that this is one of the best sub $20 Pinot Noirs we've found in years! Valravn is not a new name in our store. We've been carrying their balanced, flavorful Zinfandel for several years, but after tasting this newly-released Pinot Noir from them, our wine staff couldn't wait for the wine to arrive, as they all wanted bottles for themselves!
After working in Sonoma County for 10 years, the team at Valravn established a dynamic network of friends and colleagues that include land owners, growers and winemakers. Through these connections, they have been fortunate to get exclusive access to fantastic vineyards, the backbone to any quality wine. Their Pinot is an exploration of Sonoma County, anchored in the Russian River Valley. Vineyards span as far north as Annapolis, east as Sonoma Mountain, west as Freestone, and south as Petaluma Gap.
The wine spent 10 months aging in 20% new French oak, and this gorgeous Pinot Noir displays a juicy, complex wine with persistent flavors of Luxardo cherries, strawberry compote, and spicy, floral notes. The Sonoma Coast parcels show the typical crunchy red fruits, while the Russian River fruit gives the briary bramble, all accented with spice from the whole cluster inclusion. It is an unctuous wine with a weighty palate, excellent balance, and texture.
After working in Sonoma County for 10 years, the team at Valravn established a dynamic network of friends and colleagues that include land owners, growers and winemakers. Through these connections, they have been fortunate to get exclusive access to fantastic vineyards, the backbone to any quality wine. Their Pinot is an exploration of Sonoma County, anchored in the Russian River Valley. Vineyards span as far north as Annapolis, east as Sonoma Mountain, west as Freestone, and south as Petaluma Gap.
The wine spent 10 months aging in 20% new French oak, and this gorgeous Pinot Noir displays a juicy, complex wine with persistent flavors of Luxardo cherries, strawberry compote, and spicy, floral notes. The Sonoma Coast parcels show the typical crunchy red fruits, while the Russian River fruit gives the briary bramble, all accented with spice from the whole cluster inclusion. It is an unctuous wine with a weighty palate, excellent balance, and texture.
Overall Rating
4 out of 5 Based on 1 Review
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16th Apr 2022
Valravn 2020 Pinot Noir
I’m always looking for a good Pinot for under $20. This is definitely one of the better ones I have found. I loved the 2019 and the 2020 seems just as good.
