2023 Pinot Noir West Block
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Tasting notes
The 2023 Pinot Noir West Block comes from vines planted in 1969, the oldest on the Rochioli property. The nose is bursting with pomegranate, blackberry, lilac, mossy bark and fennel aromas. The medium-bodied palate features wave after wave of spicy fruit delivered in a silky texture, and it's balanced by vibrant acidity that lures you back to the glass for another sip. It unfolds dramatically over time in the glass and should be long lived in the cellar. The wine will be released in August 2025.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A deeper ruby/magenta color, the 2023 Pinot Noir West Block takes time to open on the nose, which is structured and deep, with fresh spices, cherry liqueur, peppercorn spice, and dark fresh forest herbs. The palate is incredible, floating on the palate with a long, silky feel. It has notes of spice, and the fruit wears the oak so well in this wine. It has depth, but it’s elegant and long and haunting. Drink 2026-2050. Tom Rochioli is leading his historic family winery and vineyards along with his wife Theresa and their children, Rachael (General Manager) and Ryan (Assistant Winemaker). The focus is on estate-grown expressions of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and old vine Sauvignon Blanc. Tom’s grandparents immigrated from Italy in 1911 and came to the Russian River Valley in 1938, moving to the 125-acre Fenton Acres property where the winery is today. In the 1970s and 1980s, Tom’s father Joe began selling their grapes to winemakers Davis Bynum and Williams Selyem, who produced some of the best wines in the region. It wasn’t until 1983 that Rochioli decided to produce their own wines and changed the name of the property from Fenton Acres to Rochioli Vineyards.
The 2023 Pinot Noir West Block Estate is a wine of tremendous substance and sheer power. Black cherry, new leather, spice, menthol and tobacco are all dialed up to the maximum in this potent, virile Pinot Noir. The West Block emerges from vines planted by Joe Rochioli in 1969. It offers a striking mix of old-school earthy savoriness married with Russian River fruit and a touch of sheen from the 100% new oak. There's a lot of wine here.