The Paring, because it’s actually a selection from all 'top gear', sees the same winemaking process as The Hilt's $95 bottlings, about a year aging in all French oak, about 1/3 new, from top barrel guys like Darnajou and Remond. NOT cheap.

91 Points! Readers will love the 2023 Pinot Noir, and it's a smoking value in classy California Pinot. Medium ruby-hued, with ripe red fruits, peppery herbs, spice, and floral notes, it's medium-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It will continue drinking beautifully through 2033. - Jeb Dunnuck

91 Points! A medium red color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley offers an elegant perfume and spiced profile with aromas of red cherries, roses, forest herbs, and mossy earth. It’s a very pretty and elegant red with a refined texture and an even, floating feel through the finish. It’s a very attractive wine to enjoy now or over the next 4-6 years. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

From the winery: Our 2023 Russian River Pinot Noir is a beautifully complex expression of this renowned region, blending fruit from four distinct vineyards to create a wine of depth, elegance, and balance. Bommersbach Vineyard (29%) lends rich cherry cola notes, while Bode Vineyard (38%) provides a silky, seamless texture. The cooler Rogaway Vineyard (14%) in the Sebastopol Hills and Monroe Vineyard (19%) south of Sebastopol contribute vibrant floral and spice notes, with Monroe’s sandy Goldridge soils intensifying the wine’s structure and acidity. Aged in 24% new oak with 15% whole cluster fermentation, this 225-case production Pinot Noir (13.9% ABV) is a harmonious blend of power and finesse, showcasing the best of Russian River Valley terroir.