wines
2021 CHARDONNAY
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
Grapes are hand-harvested from select vineyards - a core of Russian River fruit with cut barrel selections from our Marine Layer designated wines, including Bohemian, Heintz, Gaps Crown, Hawk Hill, and Marine Layer Estate vineyards. The Russian River component is a beautiful property with Goldridge soils on gently rolling hills planted to Dijon clone vines in 1998. The south/east exposure provides excellent drainage and the benefit of the full morning sun to temper the cool climate.
Wild yeast primary fermentation occurred in a barrel (75% French oak) and stainless steel tank. Malolactic fermentation halted after 80% completion to retain acidity. The wine then aged for ten months in French oak barrels (30% new - Damy, Cavin, and Tremeaux) with monthly batonnage.
TASTING NOTES
On the nose and palate, find complex flavors and aromas of crushed stone, marzipan, citrus blossom, honeysuckle, and stone fruits. The 2021 Valravn Chardonnay has excellent texture and tension with fresh vigor balanced by the wine’s lush body, ripe fruit, and persistent finish.
PRESS - 91 JS
“A charming nose of lemon curd, fresh thyme, wet stone and sliced green apple. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a smooth texture. Clean and fresh. Lovely.“
2022 PINOT NOIR
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
The core of the 2022 Valravn Pinot Noir is from the Russian River AVA (about three-quarters), with Sonoma Coast fruit making up the balance. The Sonoma Coast component is comprised of declassified barrels from our Marine Layer wines.
Hand-sorted grapes undergo a cold soak in the cellar, followed by primary fermentation with 25% whole clusters in small open-top stainless steel tanks. Following primary, the wine transferred to a blend of French oak, including François Freres, Remond, and Rousseau barrels, about 20% of which are new, for ten months malolactic and aging.
TASTING NOTES
A juicy, complex wine with persistent flavors of Luxardo cherries, strawberry compote, and spicy, floral notes. The Sonoma Coast parcels show the typical crunchy red fruits, while the Russian River fruit gives the briary bramble, all accented with spice from the whole cluster inclusion. It is an unctuous wine with a weighty palate, excellent balance, and texture.
PRESS - 91 JS
“Ripe cherries, chocolate, dried citrus peel and hints of bitters on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy tannins and vivid acidity. Smooth and sleek yet it shows some tension and crunchiness in the finish.“
2022 ZINFANDEL
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
Since our first vintage, Valravn Zinfandel has been based on old, bush-pruned vines averaging 40 years old (some over 100) across the county’s best appellations. The 2022 vintage is Zinfandel from two Dry Creek Valley parcels (one sandy loam, the other volcanic) and a Russian River AVA plot. We also included Petite Sirah and Grenache, which were cofermented with the Zinfandel for added complexity. Hand harvested, hand sorted, and gently destemmed before fermentation.
In the cellar, the grapes went through a cold soak (with the berries intact) to capture the juicy fruit profile, followed by primary fermentation. Once fermented dry, the wine was racked to barrel for malolactic and aging for ten months in a diverse French oak barrel regimen of varying ages (first use to completely neutral) and sizes (barrique to puncheon).
TASTING NOTES
The 2022 Valravn Zinfandel is juicy and exuberant, bursting with black fruits, raspberry liqueur, and spiced rhubarb. Sappy and unctuous with notes of Mexican chocolate, licorice, sweet spice, and tobacco.
PRESS - 91 JS
“Rich and mellow character here with notes of ripe plums, strawberries, chocolate, sweet spices and hints of tar. Vibrant and succulent on the palate with a deep, chocolatey, berry-soaked center palate. Mellow and fruity.“
2021 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
The 2021 Valravn Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, Moon Mountain, and Sonoma Valley. Combining elevations, aspects, climates, and soil types allows us to blend the components for a seamless composition.
In the cellar, hand-sorted grapes undergo an extended cold soak followed by primary fermentation in stainless steel. Following primary fermentation, the wine is racked to French oak barrels (new, second use, and neutral) for 18 months aging - Sylvain, Gamba, Darnajou, Nadalie and Seguin Moreau cooperages.
TASTING NOTES
Strikes a great balance of savory and sweet immediately apparent in the espresso roast and savory herb components layered on top of rich blackberry, marionberry and cassis fruit. It has a supple tannin structure with high tones, opulent fruit, and a long, satisfying finish.
PRESS - 91 JS
“Ripe, spiced and toasty cabernet with blackcurrants, blackberries, cedar, pine nuts and black olives. Full-bodied, structured and a little tight with a sandy texture to the tannins and a firm, slightly chewy finish.“