2012 Rockledge Vineyards Pinot Noir Terres Blanches Russian River Valley 750 ml

2012 Rockledge Pinot Noir Russian River Valley: “Where to put all the fruit???”

A stone’s throw from the sleepy towns of Guerneville and Windsor and stands of towering redwoods, a lone deep-rooted Pinot Noir vineyard typically struggles to eke out 2 tons of small-berry clusters per acre.

But in the extraordinary 2012 vintage, while quality was superb, yields were nearly double the norm. That seemed to be a godsend for Peter Snowden’s Rockledge and others in Russian River Valley — at least until growers saw a similarly copious crop hanging on vines in July 2013!

That second consecutive bountiful harvest sent wineries scrambling for barrel and tank space. Used barrels, normally all but worthless, went for $125! Winemakers across the valley panicked, wondering where to house 2013’s bumper crop.

Celia Welch (Scarecrow, Cora, etc.) may have said it best when she was quoted in a Wine Spectator interview, saying: “Where can we put all of the fruit above and beyond what we had planned for?” Many called WineAccess to “lighten up,” few more irresistibly than Rockledge.

The stunning 2012 “Terres Blanches” Pinot Noir is brilliant ruby to the rim, infused with mouthwatering aromas of classic ripe cherry, raspberry, and sweet spice, gently kissed with new-wood cedar. Rich and juicy on the attack but, like all the great Pinot Noirs from this prized spot in the valley, wonderfully vibrant and light on its feet, the luscious black-cherry core braced by firm coastal acidity.

$45 on release. $19/bottle earlier this year. Just $15 today, as we do as directed … and clean up the bits and pieces.