Continuing with our Éleveur program, the next highlighted location is the Twin Hills Vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills. Situated right next door to the legendary David Bruce's Russian River Pinot vineyard, just south of Russian River Valley's Green Valley, its history dates back to the late-19th century.
The land was notably purchased in the 1940s by Darrel Hurst, established around apple orchards that were owned and operated by the family through 2010. Under new ownership in 2014, 9 acres were carved out for vineyards, rooted to Pinot Noir clones like Pommard, Dijon 828, Dijon 943, Calera, and more (true to the Burgundian inspiration, a bit of Gamay too).
This vineyard is incredible for Pinot Noir; organically farmed, stretched across a moderately elevated hilltop at 350-400ft of elevation situated 9 miles from the ocean between the Pleasant Hill and Spring Hill ridges, blanketed by the region defining morning fog that cares not what season it is, and a chilly microclimate of cool pacific air sweeping inland, funneled through by the ridges. While the property's apples are legendary, we can attest, their Pinot Noirs are the real showstopper nowadays.
The 2021 Éleveur "Twin Hills Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was expertly handcrafted by 100-point Winemaker Megan Baccitich to coax out the finest terroir expression of this vineyard site by focusing specifically on the Dijon 828 clone, hand-harvested at night, processed as 100% free run juice (6% whole cluster), then inoculated with 100% native local yeasts. Housed in 100% French oak for 15 months, with 50% new oak; 64% at medium toast, 36% at medium+ toast, this is a complex and refined Pinot Noir from an emerging American Grand Cru-level site worthy of your attention.
While the winery we acquired the fruit from doesn't focus on single-clone expressions, and uses a much softer barrel program, their clone-blend fetches $55/bottle out of the winery. Under the discerning palates and hands at Éleveur de Négoce, we're offering this list a chance to experience a single-clone expression from the Twin Hills Vineyard for only $30/bottle!
Deep garnet on the pour with exceptional concentration on the nose; pomegranate and black cherry cola seamlessly intertwine with rose petals backed by a delineated bed of foraged mushrooms haloed by freshly ground spices. The palate is focused with small, grippy tannins showcasing great acidity evoking cocoa shavings, tobacco leaf, and dried leaves - hands down, this is a terroir superstar folks. The finish is long and laced with refined barrel spice and vanilla uplifting cherries. Just brilliantly executed Pinot Noir with great aging potential.
14.5% alc.
