The 2023 Croix Floodgate is a textbook Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The wine is produced from multiple vineyards in the Russian River Valley AVA. This is the second vintage under the Floodgate label. It checks all the boxes with classic RRV aromas and flavors. This is an astonishing Pinot Noir in every sense of the word and one you will crave and want to enjoy again and again. The color is bright with a brilliant ruby hue. Within are aromas of dark cherry, ripe raspberry, anise, baking spices, sweet pipe tobacco, and toasted oak. The palate is bold and powerful, layered without hard edges, giving way to a full-bodied beauty of impressive, balanced flavors. The tannins are round, silky and have a creamy mouth-feel. A hint of earthiness rounds out to a long and lovely finish. The Croix Floodgate Pinot Noir will gain more elegance and balance with several years of aging. Kirk Venge continues to show his amazing skillset in making some of the best Pinot Noirs in Russian River Valley.

By Perry Miroballi