2021 CIRQ. Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 750 ml

If we had to list the top names of the Russian River Valley, Michael Browne would be one of the first to come to mind. 

The Kosta Browne founder has been a staple in Sonoma since the 1990s, creating wines that have long been considered benchmarks for the region, and even topping the Wine Spectator Top 100. His deep desire to focus on small-lot, site-specific wines drove him to begin CIRQ., back in 2009.

From the very start, CIRQ. has been a cult-level Pinot Noir. And in 2021, they produced a wine that somehow, miraculously, exceeds the pedigree of Michael and his incredible vineyard sources.

The 2021 CIRQ. Russian River Valley Pinot is one of the finest Pinots you’ll ever taste. Lush, seamless, and everlasting, it earned an incredible 99+ points from Jeb Dunnuck, who wrote it “takes things to another level.” It’s the kind of Pinot that makes every sip feel like a blissful eternity.

This is the work of a master in one of Sonoma’s great vintages, and it achieves its success through the same combination that put Kosta Browne on the map: great vineyards and Michael Browne’s talent for winemaking.

The raw materials are impeccable. Michael uses ten distinct clones—including Pommard, Swan, and Calera—much of it from estate vineyards. This includes Bootlegger’s Hill, which was planted near the town of Occidental (by Michael himself) to Hyde-selection clonal material. The rest of the Pinot comes from top sites in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, and Occidental. 

Michael took those pristine grapes—harvested between September 13th and October 22nd, 2021—and fermented them with meticulous precision. Seven percent of the fruit underwent whole cluster fermentation, while the rest was carefully processed through a thoughtfully orchestrated vessel program.

The wine rested for over 15 months in 45% new French oak barrels supplemented by 6% wood tanks, creating subtle development while maintaining elegant balance. The result is a Pinot that stands with the best, bar none, and a real rarity.