PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Atelier’s 2021 Pinot Noir is a Russian River Valley wine in the region’s classic mold: bright red fruit, supple texture, and a hint of barrel toast. The Russian River Valley benefits from a reliable late-afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the river, which ensures slow, steady ripening and preserves the grapes’ acidity. The 2021 was aged 10 months in French oak, with a small proportion of new oak, and bottled at 14.1% ABV.
The winemaker’s notes describe “a supple and textured Pinot Noir” with “a lovely garnet robe and a nose of plum, strawberry, cherry cola, caramel and hibiscus.” On the palate, “pomegranate and raspberry fruit provide a lively tanginess and dance with more earth-driven notes of tea, gravel, and autumn leaves,” and “barrel spice and toastiness suggest blueberry cobbler, baking spice, and rose petal on the finish.”
Critics rated it well, though their reactions varied with how much they valued the oak. The Tasting Panel scored it 93: “Wonderfully proportioned wine with compelling purity and vibrancy. Lifted red fruit, strawberry, cherry, cranberry with delicate star anise spice and dried mushroom. Ten months oak aging, small proportion of new oak lends subtle, intriguing nuance. Skillfully produced allowing the expressive fruit character and strong sense of place on full display.” James Suckling scored it 92: “Aromas and flavors of ripe strawberries, pie crust and smoked meat. It is luscious and flavorful with a full body, round tannins and a delicious finish. Typical for Russian River.” Wine Enthusiast was more reserved at 89, noting “the smoky, toasted-oak character of this full-bodied wine from first whiff to its spicy finish,” a wine that is “very stylistic, rather tannic in texture, yet has a core of rich black cherries and black-tea flavors that slowly emerge from the oak cloak as you sip.” That range makes sense for a Pinot Noir that has a bit more toast and weight than the lightest Russian River styles. It’s a friendly, food-flexible Pinot for roast chicken, salmon, duck, and mushroom dishes.
Atelier 2021 Pinot Noir is made from Pinot Noir grown in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, in the cooling influence of Pacific fog through the Petaluma Gap. It was aged 10 months in French oak, with a small proportion of new oak. Bottled at 14.1% ABV, 750ml.
The Tasting Panel — 93 Points:
“Wonderfully proportioned wine with compelling purity and vibrancy. Lifted red fruit, strawberry, cherry, cranberry with delicate star anise spice and dried mushroom. Ten months oak aging, small proportion of new oak lends subtle, intriguing nuance. Skillfully produced allowing the expressive fruit character and strong sense of place on full display.”
James Suckling — 92 Points:
“Aromas and flavors of ripe strawberries, pie crust and smoked meat. It is luscious and flavorful with a full body, round tannins and a delicious finish. Typical for Russian River.”
Wine Enthusiast — 89 Points:
“Get ready for the smoky, toasted-oak character of this full-bodied wine from first whiff to its spicy finish. The wine is very stylistic, rather tannic in texture, yet has a core of rich black cherries and black-tea flavors that slowly emerge from the oak cloak as you sip.”
Atelier (official winemaker’s notes):
“This supple and textured Pinot Noir has a lovely garnet robe and a nose of plum, strawberry, cherry cola, caramel and hibiscus. On the palate pomegranate and raspberry fruit provide a lively tanginess and dance with more earth-driven notes of tea, gravel, and autumn leaves. Barrel spice and toastiness suggest blueberry cobbler, baking spice, and rose petal on the finish.”
Nose
Garnet. Plum, strawberry, cherry cola, and hibiscus, with caramel, star anise, and dried mushroom.
Palate
Supple and textured, with pomegranate, raspberry, and black cherry, with tea, gravel, and autumn-leaf earthiness, and round tannin.
Finish
Long, with blueberry cobbler, baking spice, and rose petal.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California |
| Variety | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Producer | Atelier |
| Aging | 10 months, French oak, small proportion new |
| ABV | 14.1% |
| Critics | The Tasting Panel 93 · James Suckling 92 · Wine Enthusiast 89 |
| Style / Identity | A supple, textured, fruit-forward Russian River Pinot with a touch of toasty oak |
| Aromas & Flavors | Plum, strawberry, cherry cola, hibiscus, pomegranate, star anise, blueberry cobbler |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serve slightly cool, at about 60-62°F.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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