2021 Kanzler Walker Station Pinot Noir

Kanzler Vineyards is in Sebastopol. It was founded in 1996 when Stephen and Lynda Kanzler planted their 20 acres in Pinot Noir. Their business plan was to source their grapes to artisanal California producers, which they did for several years. Then in 2004 the couple launched their own label and their first release earned 93 pts from Wine Spectator. The family-run business includes the Kanzler’s two adult children, and their son Alex is winemaker. Kanzler Vineyards makes Pinot Noir exclusively, and the wines routinely earn compliments and ratings in the low- to mid-90s from reviewers.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.