Twomey by Silver Oak Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021

93 Points James Suckling
Tea leaf, redwood branches and sweet cherry aromas are backed by mellow black cherries and light oak spices, while mild tannins give a gentle texture to this adorable wine. A majority of the grapes come from Twomey’s Last Stop vineyard.

Wine Notes
Very early on during fermentation, it was clear that 2021 was a vintage to remember—one defined by concentrated flavors with bright acidity and wines of harmony and balance. This 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir showcases the supple, forward tannin structure classic of the region complemented by dark fruit and spice aromas. Alc. 14.3%.

Vintage Notes
The 2021 season began with a cool, dry winter and an early spring. Continued drought conditions signaled the vines to conserve resources as they emerged from dormancy. Resulting canopies were smaller than typical, and mild weather during bloom produced a balanced crop. As the season progressed, conditions remained ideal with warm weather prevailing and only a few sporadic heat events. This favorable weather pattern combined with compact clusters and small berry size lead to wines of great concentration and balance.

Harvest began in late August, and the warm daytime temperatures were buffered in the Russian River Valley by the hallmark fog influence from the Pacific Ocean. This cooling effect preserved acidity in the berries and gives the vintage a fresh and lively profile. Harvest continued at a methodical pace throughout the month of September with the lion’s share of the vintage picked by the third week.