De Loach 'Heritage Collection' Pinot Noir 2021

We absolutely adore Californian Pinot Noir, but sadly it's just too expensive. So, this is about as good value as we have found for a wine of such elegance. It is positively Burgundian in it's restrained approach (perhaps something to do with the Burgundian owners), but the Californian sunshine can't hide. There is a lovely richness to the red fruit character; cherry, cranberry, strawberry, etc. All backed up with just a kiss of spice from a small percentage of the wine that spent some time in oak. There is a juicy quality to the wine, perhaps enhanced by the subtle addition of bold Zinfandel & Petit Verdot (just 4% of each make up the blend).

Established in 1973 by Cecil De Loach, a firefighter from San Francisco, De Loach was purchased by Burgundian Jean-Claude Boisset in 2003. His son Jean-Charles Boisset saw the similarities of the Russian River Valley with his native Burgundy and the potential that the region held for producing fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. One of his first decisions having acquired the estate was to convert the seven hectares of vineyard surrounding the winery to biodynamic farming. The ‘Heritage Collection’ range offers superb value and quality for mid-priced Californian wines. De Loach’s Russian River Valley fruit is supplemented by grapes sourced from like-minded growers in selected premium areas of California, particularly the Central Coast.