Moshin Vineyards & Winery
Moshin Vineyards is celebrating its 30th harvest year in 2019. The winery is known for Russian River Valley
Pinot Noir from estate vineyards and the gravity-flow winery on Westside Road where the wines are produced
The winery began in 1989 when Rick Moshin purchased a 10-acre vineyard located in the Middle Reach of the
Russian River Valley. Rick was a math instructor with a thirst for Pinot Noir and that inspired him to retire to
make great wine. He still monitors the pruning and training of the estate vineyards as well as the harvest. He
believes in small-lot, handcrafted wines, following the teachings of mentors Gary Farrell and Davis Bynum.
There are four estate vineyards: Moshin Estate Vineyard (original 10-acre vineyard planted in the early 1980s
to Dijon clones, acquired in 1989, and replanted in 2007-2009 to Martini, Swan, Mt. Eden and Wädenswil 2A
clones), Calliope Vineyard (2.5 acres of Pommard 5, Wädenswil 2A, and Calera clones planted in Goldridge
soil in 2005), Rosalina Vineyard (4.5 acres of Calera, Wädenswil 2A and Pommard 5 planted in Goldridge soil
in 2007) and River Myst Haven Vineyard (2.5 acres of Martini and Swan clones planted in Goldridge soil in
2009). Each vineyard is set either near or adjacent to the Russian River and receives the benefits of its
maritime influence that include ample morning fog and daily temperature swings of 35 degrees.
The winery was 20 years in the planning and is a four-tier, solar-powered, gravity-flow production facility built
on five acres. The careful movement of Pinot Noir from crush pad to press to barrel to bottling room is possible
without the use of pumps. In addition to Moshin, several prominent Russian River Valley Pinot Noir producers
utilize the winemaking facility.
The tasting room at the winery is open daily and private seated tastings and winery tours are also available by
appointment. Visit www.moshinvineyards.com.
This was my first opportunity to sample recent Moshin Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines and I came away
impressed. All the reviewed Moshin Pinot Noirs and Rosé were sourced from estate vineyards in the Middle
Reach of the Russian River Valley. Two wines from the winery’s sister brand, Westside Crossing, offer
excellent value.
2018 Moshin Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.,
pH 3.31, TA 0.70, RS 0.1%, 1,705 cases, $25. A saignée.
Harvest Brix 23.2º.
·
Light pink color in the glass. Nicely
scented with aromas of strawberry, blood orange and rose
petal. Bright, crisp and tasty, with refreshing flavors of red
cherry, strawberry, watermelon and a hint of orange,
finishing upbeat and quenching.
Score: 91
2016 Moshin Vineyards Rosalina Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.55, RS 0.1%,
200 cases, $58. Estate grown and bottled. Grapes are from
a 5.5-acre estate vineyard planted in 2007 in Goldridge soil.
Calera, Pommard, and Wädenswil 2A. Harvest Brix 24.0º.
Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 37% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Provocative
aromas of Bing cherry, baking spices and bark. Quintessential Russian
River Valley flavor profile of black cherry, cola, spice and a touch of
toasty oak. Easily approachable, with a soft, dreamy texture and
gracious tannins. Plenty of charm, with juicy cherry fruit fanning out on
the lip-smacking finish.
Score: 94
2016 Moshin Vineyards River Myst Haven Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.62,
RS 0.2%, 200 cases, $58. Estate grown and bottled. Grapes are from a 2-acre parcel planted in 2010 just
above the winery.Swan and Martini clones. Harvest Brix 24.2º. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 35%
new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, fertile earth and savory herbs. Good
energy and balance in a middleweight style, featuring flavors of cherry, raspberry, boysenberry, white pepper
and savory herbs. A healthy tannic backbone is supportive. Barrel treatment is well managed and the wine
finishes with some persistence.
Score: 92
2015 Moshin Vineyards Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 375 cases, $42.
·
Moderate
garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black fruits and muddy earth lead to a mid weight styled wine featuring
flavors of blackest cherry, black currant and blackberry. Nicely composed, with a silken mouthfeel, agreeable
tannins, and a delectable, black cherry-infused finish that is very long and intense.
Score: 93
2015 Westside Crossing Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., $28. Sourced from
neighborhood vineyards that thrive near the historic crossing along the Russian River.
·
Moderately
light garnet color in the glass. The nose offers expressive scents of cherry, spice, sandalwood
and mocha. Light to moderate in weight, featuring cherry and raspberry fruit flavors accented with
hints of piney oak and spice. A comforting and friendly wine with a pleasing grip of cherry on the
finish.
Score: 89
2016 Westside Cross Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $20. Sourced from neighborhood
vineyards near the crossing along the Russian River.
·
Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of
lemon oil, biscuit, petrichor and spice. Pleasing flavors of lemon, pineapple and vanilla creme. Nicely balanced
with no oak intrusion and a lemon-lime finish.
Score: 88
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