The 2021 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Pinot Noir comes from a collection of small vineyards located throughout the Russian River Valley AVA, including Hartford Estate, Fog Dance, Hailey's Block, Jennifer's, MacLean's Block and Arrendell. Hartford makes single-vineyard bottlings from all of these, and those wines sell for $60 and above, yet the Hartford family utilizes these same vineyards for this amazing Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, and this one sells for roughly $30!
The Russian River Valley is one of THE best places in the world for growing Pinot Noir. The cooling winds from the Pacific Ocean spread throughout the area, and help to moderate the temperatures throughout the day, whereas vineyards just to the east are exceptionally warmer. Also, the soils are a mix of sand, clay, and silt. The clay brings richness to a wine, while the sand brings more flowered aromatics and brightness in the wine. If you ask us, this sounds like the recipe for Pinot Noir perfection!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is also from the Russian River Valley. It’s a bright ruby color and boasts a seductive perfume with notes of fresh leather, ripe cherries, sweet spices, and forest earth. The palate is medium-framed and has a focused and bright feel, with refreshing, mouthwatering acidity, ripe tannins, and a gently tapering, spiced finish. Drink 2026-2040."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is composed of fruit from Hartford Court's estate vineyards plus purchased fruit. Matured for nine months in 28% new French oak, it has layered aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, graham cracker, tobacco, tea leaves and forest floor. The full-bodied palate features concentrated, spicy flavors framed by grainy tannins and juicy acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish. 9,000 cases were made."
The Russian River Valley is one of THE best places in the world for growing Pinot Noir. The cooling winds from the Pacific Ocean spread throughout the area, and help to moderate the temperatures throughout the day, whereas vineyards just to the east are exceptionally warmer. Also, the soils are a mix of sand, clay, and silt. The clay brings richness to a wine, while the sand brings more flowered aromatics and brightness in the wine. If you ask us, this sounds like the recipe for Pinot Noir perfection!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is also from the Russian River Valley. It’s a bright ruby color and boasts a seductive perfume with notes of fresh leather, ripe cherries, sweet spices, and forest earth. The palate is medium-framed and has a focused and bright feel, with refreshing, mouthwatering acidity, ripe tannins, and a gently tapering, spiced finish. Drink 2026-2040."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is composed of fruit from Hartford Court's estate vineyards plus purchased fruit. Matured for nine months in 28% new French oak, it has layered aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, graham cracker, tobacco, tea leaves and forest floor. The full-bodied palate features concentrated, spicy flavors framed by grainy tannins and juicy acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish. 9,000 cases were made."
