Pick My Next Bottle – 2013 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

The July Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2013 Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. The purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar.

The winning bottle will be opened on Friday and a Bottle Note will be published this coming weekend.

2013 was a great year for Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The vintage was slightly warmer with just a little less rainfall than the highly acclaimed 2012 vintage. Wines from 2013 exhibit extremely pure and polished tannins and the acidity will provide longevity but the supple structure also allows for early enjoyment.

The Contenders:

• 2013 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Goldridge – The 2013 Pinot Noir Goldridge is a super-classic Russian River Pinot. Sweet black cherry, plum, cola, spice and new leather are some of the signatures. I would give the 2013 at least a few year in bottle, as it is a bit bombastic today, and drink it for another decade or so thereafter. The 2013 was done with fully destemmed fruit. 92 points from Vinous.
• 2013 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – The 2013 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley comes across as a bit restrained, with lovely energy to balance the expressive Russian River fruit. Dark cherry, plum, spice, cedar and cinnamon flesh out on a perfumed, sensual finish with attractive rose petal and lavender overtones. 92 points from Vinous.
• 2013 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard –  Once again, the Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard is one of the most distinctive wines in the range. Game, iron and a host of feral/savory notes take center stage, while the fruit is pushed more into the background. There is good depth to the fruit, but also a certain rusticity that is impossible to fully escape. The Bucher is the most animal of Williams Selyem’s 2013 Pinots. 90 points from Vinous.

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Thanks for voting! I’d love to see a comment below on why you picked one bottle over another. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions for the August installment of Pick My Next Bottle.