2022 Russian River Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley is one of the most renowned regions for growing Pinot Noir in the United States. With it’s cool climate, coastal influences and alluvial soils, it creates perfect conditions for the famously fickle grape variety. We like to keep things simple in the cellar, so when you taste our Pinot Noir you are tasting classic characteristics of the Russian River Valley. We are sourcing this Pinot from Slusser Vineyard, a 50 acre vineyard with Cortina gravelly loam soil, which seldom needs irrigation. We only received 2.5 tons, which produced about 90 cases - a very small batch for Carruth! The 2022 growing season was consistent & mild, with all signs leading to a great harvest. Then came an extended heat wave beginning in late August that divided the season into earlier & later picks. In both instances, we received lower yields than expected, but the fruit we received was very high quality, with strong structure and terroir-driven characteristics. Once the fruit arrived in Oceanside, we destemmed and processed it here on site. The grape then fermented for about 2 weeks. After pressing, the wine was aged for 10 months in 20% new French Oak and 80% once used French Oak before being bottled in August 2023.