Vineyard: Windsor Oaks

AppellationRussian River Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Bravium Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.1% alc., pH 3.46, TA 0.55, 1,934 cases, $20. Released September 1, 2016. Sourced from Windsor Oaks Vineyard, clone 17. Aged 11 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Invigorating aromas of lemon oil, curt apple, pear and pineapple. A richer, riper styled wine with good length and finish featuring flavors of pear, golden apple, toast and creme brûlée. Impressive balance in a wine that is classically Russian River Valley in style. Score: 93. Reviewed November 12, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Pali Wine Co. Charm Acres Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.0% alc., 4,360 cases, $21, screwcap. Sourced from Windsor Oaks, Collins Ranch, Champlain Creek and Sangiacomo Family vineyards. No malolactic fermentation. Barrel fermented and aged 10 months in 25% new French oak. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Pleasant aromas of nutty lemon, peach, tropical fruits and toasty oak. Crisp and bright, and quite enjoyable, with flavors of lemon-lime, pear and white peach with a slight oak overlay, finishing with a burst of citrus-driven refreshment. Score: 89. Reviewed August 15, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Pali Wine Co. Bluffs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 1,977 cases, $22.50, screwcap. Sourced from Windsor Oaks and Rockin’ B vineyards. Small lot fermentation. Aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. · Medium reddish purple hue in the glass. Brooding aromas of Bing cherry and dark red rose petal. The generous core of crushed cherry flavor is complimented by hints of Coca-Cola and spice. Somewhat jammy, with muscular fine-grain tannins that overwhelm the fruit. Score: 87. Reviewed April 5, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Masterpiece Vineyards Estate Grown Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 2,500 cases, $13.99. A second label from Windsor Oaks Vineyards. Artwork on the label is In The Woods at Giverny by Claude Monet, 1887. · Light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of red rose petals, honeysuckle and green herbs. Lighter weight flavors of red cherries, red berries, dried herbs, and edible flowers. Easy to drink, with modest tannins and some fruit presence on the brief finish. Score: 85. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Pali “Bluffs” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 2,200 cases, $22.50. Sourced from Windsor Oaks and Rockin ‘B vineyards. Aged 10 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Those nose offers aromas of black cherry, baking spices and vanilla. Medium to full-bodied black cherry flavor with a hint of spice. Very ripe fruit balanced by structured tannins, finishing with a sweet cherry flourish. Score: 88. Reviewed February 22, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Balverne Estate Grown Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 300 cases, $30. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. Lovely aromas of ripe cherries, dried stone fruits, cola and vanilla. The bright cherry core is accented with notes of spice, vanilla and cola, with supporting dry tannins. Admirable balance with some finishing persistence. Score: 89. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Windsor Oaks Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 280 cases, $30. Clones 777, 667, 115, 114 and 459. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The appealing nose leads with aromas of raspberries, cherries and damp forest floor. The middleweight flavors of black cherry and cola are juicy and vivid. Very well crafted with a seamless presence of oak, acidity and tannins, finishing with plenty of cherry goodness. The potentially lush Russian River Valley fruit is held in check, making this wine particularly appealing. Score: 90. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Windsor Oaks Vineyards Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 230 cases, $33.75. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass (slightly deeper in color than the regular RRV bottling). Shy, but pleasant aromas of dark Bing cherries and spice. Very polished and refined on the palate, with flavors of dark cherries, fraise du bois, cola and spice pulled into line with fine acidity. The complimentary oak is not intrusive, and the tannins are suave and integrated. A graceful interpretation of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that is quite evocative. Score: 92. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Balverne Estate Grown Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 240 cases, $40. · Light reddish purple color in the glass. Enticing aromas of Bing cherries and baking spice arrive over time in the glass. Light to mid weight flavors of cherry, raspberry, spice and cola, finishing with graceful length. Very polished, elegant and refined with modest tannins. Quite accessible for a reserve wine. Definitely deserving of the designation “reserve,” although it is not a big, oaky version of the regular Russian River Valley bottling which is so often the case with reserve wines. Score: 91. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Pali Wine Co. Windsor Oaks Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 460 cases, $56. A large, 250-acre vineyard in the Windsor Hills subregion. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak. · rately light reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of red cherry, strawberry, sandalwood and black tea. Middleweight flavors of luscious black cherry accented with cola and oak lead to a modest cherrydriven finish. Plenty of finesse with a slight sense of alcoholic warmth. Score: 88. Reviewed August 15, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Windsor Oaks Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 225 cases, $35. A blend of Dijon clones. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. The wine offers an array of pleasing aromas including cherries, red hard candies, herbs and dried rose petals. On the palate, it aims to please with deep red cherry flavor underlain with a hint of cranberry and baking spice. Quite juicy, with supple tannins and a saliva-inducing, mineral-laden acid spine. A fine reflection of the vintage. Good (+). Reviewed January 19, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Windsor Oaks Vineyards Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 175 cases, $45. A blend of Dijon clones from the finest blocks. · Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Inviting aromas of black cherry pie glaze with an array of subtleties including vanilla, herbs and rose petals. Extremely tasty mid weight black cherry cola flavor with a slight savory oak note in the background. Well-honed, firm tannins, softly textured, finishing with a lush cherry salute. This wine displays the ripe, lush cherry flavor that has brought notoriety to the Russian River Valley. Very good. Reviewed January 19, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Pali Wine Co. Windsor Oaks Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., 310 cases, $50, screw cap. From a 250-acre vineyard in the warmer eastern reaches of the Russian River Valley. Aged 10 months in 50% new French oak. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Brooding initially, emerging slowly with swirling, offering very ripe aromas of dark red berries and black cherries, citrusy cranberries and peach. Moderately intense red berry and black cherry core with a hint of fennel and sage, soft and sweet on the mid palate, offering flamboyant dry tannins and a touch of heat on the finish. Decent. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Thomas George Estates Windsor Oaks Vineyard Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc

13.8% alc., pH 3.30, TA 0.68, 465 cases, $25. A warm site in the eastern portion of the Russian River Valley. Whole cluster pressed, fermented cold for three weeks, racked off the lees and aged in stainless steel until bottled. No MLF. · Light yellow color in the glass. Aromas of grilled peaches, lemon custard, and new mowed hay. Very engaging on the palate with flavors of apple, white peach, citrus, gooseberry and vanillin. Slightly creamy with faint tannins and a dry finish sporting a lively cut of acidity. Very good. Reviewed November 29, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Windsor Oaks Vineyards 4 Dijon Clones Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 145 cases, $35. Dijon clones 667, 115, 777 and 459. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Well-perfumed with aromas of Bing cherries, smoky oak and cigar box. The middleweight core of black cherries with complimentary accents of vanilla, Coca-Cola and smoke is tasty. The wine is welcoming with modest tannins and a soft mouth feel. Good. Reviewed January 19, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Windsor Oaks Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., 352 cases, $39 (Club Pre Release $30.25). Second vintage from a 220-acre Russian River Valley vineyard located east of Highway 101. Planted to 18 varietals, Kent sources four Pinot Noir clones (about 25% of each) including Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777. An early ripening site that allows for 17% whole cluster inclusion. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. Label art is by Evan B. Harris. · Ripe, but not overripe, aromas of dark fruits, roses and brown spices. The flavors echo the aromas with an added hint of savory herbs, sassafras and raisins. A pleasing fruit-forward wine with fine-grain tannins and a refreshing finish. Approachable now and showing more pizzazz than the 2006 vintage. Reviewed July 9, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Anthill Farms Windsor Oaks Vineyard Russian River Valley Syrah

14.5% alc., $25. · Deep, dark ruby color. Penetrating aromas of black raspberries, toast, char and fragrant flowers. Copious dark fruit obscured by overwhelming tannins, oak char and smoke. Needs a big grilled steak. Reviewed October 1, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Windsor Oaks Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 220 cases, $39. Label artist is Sabrina Ward Harrison. · Demure scents of dark red berries, cherries and hay. Clean and bright flavors of redder fruits and savory herbs. Brisk acidity on the tangy finish. Reviewed July 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »