2023 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is also from the Russian River Valley. It’s a bright ruby color and boasts a seductive perfume with notes of fresh leather, ripe cherries, sweet spices, and forest earth. The palate is medium-framed and has a focused and bright feel, with refreshing, mouthwatering acidity, ripe tannins, and a gently tapering, spiced finish. Drink 2026-2040.

94 points Jeb Dunnuck

A lush and pleasurable wine with aromas of red roses and baking spices and flavors of juicy red fruit. A full-bodied pinot with silky tannins, a rich and satisfying finish and pleasant bitter orange rind at the end.

93 points James Suckling

The Russian River Valley has a wonderful knack for producing Pinot Noir with both seductive fruit and genuine elegance, and Hartford Court captures that balance beautifully. Founded by Don and Jennifer Hartford in the 1990s, Hartford Family Winery has become one of Sonoma County's most respected producers, specialising in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from exceptional cool climate vineyards.

The 2023 vintage enjoyed a long, relatively cool growing season, allowing Pinot Noir to develop lovely aromatic complexity while retaining freshness. The Russian River Valley's famous coastal fog and gentle afternoon sunshine encourage slow ripening, creating wines with generous fruit, silky tannins and a distinctive savoury character.

Bright ruby red with delicate garnet reflections. Ripe black cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry mingle with rose petals, baking spice and a hint of forest floor. The palate is supple and beautifully textured, with juicy red berries, fine tannins and refreshing acidity. Subtle notes of clove, dried orange peel and earthy spice carry through a long, fragrant finish.

Try it with crispy skinned duck and cherry glaze, grilled ocean trout with beetroot and dill, or roasted Japanese eggplant with miso and sesame. Its generous fruit would also be delicious alongside handmade ricotta and mushroom ravioli with sage.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2033. Already inviting, with the structure to develop further earthy and savoury complexity over the coming years.