2021 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge has broody red cherry, cranberry and blood orange tones on the nose with accents of fallen leaves, shiitake mushroom, wet tobacco and baking spices. The medium-bodied palate has a harmonious balance of supple tannins, energetic acidity and surprisingly concentrated berry fruit, and it finishes long and layered. 287 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge has layered aromatics with a seamless feel in its notes of wet stone, black cherry, and peppery spice. Medium to full-bodied and weightless, it offers ripe, sweet tannins, a supple mouthfeel, and notes of black raspberry, tea leaf, and sassafras. It packs good structure and will have good life ahead of it. Drink 2024-2036. One of the most historic names in Sonoma, the Martinellis are sixth-generation winegrowers based in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Prolific farmers, all of their wines come from estate-grown fruit, with 90% of the grapes sold off to other wineries. In addition to focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they also produce Zinfandel, Syrah, and Muscat of Alexandria. Courtney Robinett Wagoner joined the team in 2015 as the assistant winemaker before being promoted to winemaker in 2017.
The 2021 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge Vineyard is dark, sensual and also a bit reticent today. Blue/blackberry fruit, lavender, licorice, cloves and leather add to an impression of somber intensity. Even so, the Blue Slide Ridge shows the same mid-weight structure as the other Pinots in the range. (AG)
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.