2018 EnRoute Winery Les Pommiers Pinot Noir

2018 EnRoute Winery Les Pommiers Pinot Noir

2018 EnRoute Winery Les Pommiers Pinot Noir, from Russian River, Sonoma County, California

A fragrant dried rose petal and berry potpourri flow a lush, juicy entry. Darker raspberry preserves and blackberry flavors fill the midpalate, with clove and forest floor accents showing through to the finish. This wine is opulent and silky from start to end, with lovely fruit and spice notes that linger on the palate. Winemaker

93pts Wine Spectator; Rich, with an enveloping viscosity to the flavors of dark currant, plum tart and cherry pastry. Graphite and hot stone notes emerge midpalate, with dark chocolate details and hints of pepper on the finish. Drink now through 2025. WS

While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.

EnRoute was established in the Russian River Valley in 2007 by the partners of Napa Valley’s Far Niente winery. Devoted to producing Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, EnRoute introduced its first wine, “Les Pommiers,” in May 2009. Les Pommiers is named for the apple orchards that once flourished in the region, and reflects a blend of vineyards primarily from Green Valley and the upper Middle Reach area of the Russian River Valley AVA. The name, EnRoute, is a nod to the journey the partners—including Beth Nickel, Erik Nickel, Jeremy Nickel, Dirk Hampson and Larry Maguire—have taken on their way to producing Pinot Noir, which began in the 1980s in Burgundy. While Far Niente’s vision is exclusively focused on Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, the partners still enjoyed traveling and tasting the great Pinot Noirs of the world.