Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California 2017
Fred Scherrer has been making soulful, small-production wines in Sonoma since 1991, with a philosophy rooted in sustainable farming and minimal intervention. Known for crafting wines “without makeup,” Fred’s Pinots emphasize transparency of site and vintage. This Sonoma County bottling blends lots primarily from Russian River Valley sites that show a broader coastal expression rather than classic RRV typicity, yielding a wine that is accessible yet cellar-worthy.
- WINEMAKER: Fred Scherrer
- FARMING: Sustainable
- VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
- TERROIR: Blend of vineyards across Sonoma County, with coastal and inland influences; sandy Goldridge and clay-loam soils.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes hand-sorted, destemmed, and fermented with native yeasts in open-top tanks. Manual punch-downs manage extraction.
- AGING: Aged on fine lees in older barrels; bottled unfined and unfiltered.
- TASTING NOTES: Moderately structured with a central core of red fruits. Sassafras notes typical of coastal sites mingle with cola and earth from Sebastopol-Santa Rosa parcels. Aromas of blood orange, red berry, beets, and a hint of patchouli. Bright acidity, silky texture, and a tangy, persistent finish. Food-friendly now, with potential to age 5–10 years.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled salmon, duck breast, beet salad with goat cheese, or mushroom risotto.
- ALCOHOL: 14.5%
- SCORES: 91 pts Vinous (Antonio Galloni): “Effusive aromatics and bright red/purplish berry fruit… The 2017 is stellar.”
Scherrer Winery Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California 2017
Fred Scherrer has been making soulful, small-production wines in Sonoma since 1991, with a philosophy rooted in sustainable farming and minimal intervention. Known for crafting wines “without makeup,” Fred’s Pinots emphasize transparency of site and vintage. This Sonoma County bottling blends lots primarily from Russian River Valley sites that show a broader coastal expression rather than classic RRV typicity, yielding a wine that is accessible yet cellar-worthy.
- WINEMAKER: Fred Scherrer
- FARMING: Sustainable
- VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
- TERROIR: Blend of vineyards across Sonoma County, with coastal and inland influences; sandy Goldridge and clay-loam soils.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes hand-sorted, destemmed, and fermented with native yeasts in open-top tanks. Manual punch-downs manage extraction.
- AGING: Aged on fine lees in older barrels; bottled unfined and unfiltered.
- TASTING NOTES: Moderately structured with a central core of red fruits. Sassafras notes typical of coastal sites mingle with cola and earth from Sebastopol-Santa Rosa parcels. Aromas of blood orange, red berry, beets, and a hint of patchouli. Bright acidity, silky texture, and a tangy, persistent finish. Food-friendly now, with potential to age 5–10 years.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled salmon, duck breast, beet salad with goat cheese, or mushroom risotto.
- ALCOHOL: 14.5%
- SCORES: 91 pts Vinous (Antonio Galloni): “Effusive aromatics and bright red/purplish berry fruit… The 2017 is stellar.”