Description
Hartford Court Pinot Noir — Russian River Valley, Sonoma County 2023
Hartford Court is one of the Russian River Valley’s most celebrated Pinot Noir producers, farming estate vineyards across the appellation’s most prized sub-zones — including Green Valley and the Sebastopol Hills — where the deepest fog penetration and coolest temperatures in all of Sonoma County produce Pinot Noir of extraordinary perfume, precision, and elegance. The 2023 Russian River Valley is a barrel selection blending fruit from these premier estate sites, matured for nine months in 28% new French oak. It earned 94 points from Jeb Dunnuck, 93 from James Suckling, and 92 from The Wine Advocate — a triple-score performance that confirms Hartford Court’s place among California’s elite Pinot Noir producers.
The nose is seductive and captivating: fresh leather, ripe cherries, red roses, baking spices, cranberry, pomegranate, tobacco, tea leaves, and forest earth — the classic perfumed character of the Russian River Valley at its most expressive. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied with a focused, bright feel — refreshing mouthwatering acidity, ripe grainy tannins, concentrated spicy flavors, and a long, flavorful finish of spice, bitter orange rind, and forest floor. Drink now through 2040.
Jeb Dunnuck 94 — “Seductive perfume with notes of fresh leather, ripe cherries, sweet spices, and forest earth. Focused and bright, with refreshing acidity, ripe tannins, and a gently tapering, spiced finish. Drink 2026–2040.” (Vintage 2023).
James Suckling 93 — “Lush and pleasurable with aromas of red roses and baking spices. Full-bodied with silky tannins, a rich and satisfying finish, and pleasant bitter orange rind at the end.” (Vintage 2023).
Wine Advocate 92 — “Layered aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, graham cracker, tobacco, tea leaves and forest floor. Concentrated, spicy flavors framed by grainy tannins and juicy acidity, with a long, flavorful finish.” (Vintage 2023).
- Producer: Hartford Court, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
- Vintage: 2023
- Appellation: Russian River Valley AVA
- Vineyards: Estate sites including Green Valley & Sebastopol Hills
- Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
- Aging: 9 months, 28% new French oak
- Drinking Window: Now – 2040
- Size: 750ml
- Tasting Notes: Ripe cherry, red rose, cranberry, pomegranate, baking spice, tobacco, forest floor, bitter orange rind
- Best Paired With: Roasted duck breast with cherry glaze, grilled salmon, wild mushroom risotto, Brie, Camembert
A triple 90-point Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from one of Sonoma’s most celebrated estate producers — Hartford Court 2023 is the benchmark for what Green Valley and Sebastopol Hills fruit, aged in French oak, can deliver.
