2024 Michael Pozzan Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 750 ml

The Russian River Valley is one of the nation’s signature Pinot Noir regions, defined by luxurious bottles that regularly command $75 or more. Finding a bottling that delivers a high-quality Russian River experience at a daily-drinker price is nearly impossible.

Key word: “nearly.”

When we discovered Michael Pozzan’s phenomenal Russian River Pinot Noir six vintages ago, it rocketed straight to the top, becoming one of our top-selling Pinots of the year. Since then, we’ve had a bit of a drought—but savvy Wine Access Pinot-philes have not forgotten how Pozzan conveys Russian River succulence and vibrancy for WAY below the going rate. 

We have a slew of Winery “Notify Mes” for Pozzan, which one five-star reviewer called "an automatic case buy.” Hailing from an excellent 2024 vintage, today’s bottle is classic Russian River Pinot through and through—but with a price that bears no resemblance to the going rate in one of America’s most celebrated Pinot Noir regions. 

A taste of that satiny elegance shows exactly why Pozzan’s Pinots have previously graced the wine lists at the restaurants of such internationally respected chefs as Michael Symon and Masaharu Morimoto. The wines’ knack for delivering the classic calling cards of the Russian River Valley at populist prices is unmatched.

Michael Pozzan Winery is a family affair—operated by Pozzan, his wife MaryAnn, and their two sons—but their secret weapon is consulting winemaker Molly Lippitt Lyman, who has worked alongside such luminaries as Philippe Melka and Heidi Barrett, and at estates like Duckhorn, Paradigm, and Moone-Tsai. 

Drawing seamless spice depth from 10 months in French oak, Pozzan’s Pinot Noir contains 100% Russian River fruit, and manages to capture the mystery enshrouded in the area’s signature fog. We keep waiting for the price to creep up and finally match its market value, but that has not happened yet. Fans of California Pinot win big.