96 from Master Sommelier Kevin Vogt:
The 2022 Convene Russian River Valley Pinot Noir unfolds with an inviting nose of candied cherries, their sweetness tempered by warm fall pie spices. A hint of cola bean weaves through the fruit, threaded with a minerally tinge of wet slate and lifted by delicate white rose petals. On the palate, it delivers a refined intensity—concentrated cherry compote and vibrant mixed berries intertwine, lush and ripe yet heightened by a bright, fresh core. Subtle liquid saline adds complexity, while elegant, satiny fruit tannins frame its structure, leading to a finish that lingers long and leaves you ultimately satisfied. A wine of poise and presence, it earns its stature with refinement, style, and grace.
Outstanding for Dunnuck, too:
The 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley boasts a deeper but bright red color and is another expressive wine out of the gate, with notes of preserved cherries, sweet herbs, forest floor, and pressed flowers. It expands on the palate, with a medium to full-bodied frame, ripe tannins, and a warming earth-noted spice through the finish.
For a Pinot Noir from the old Kosta-Browne owner and winemaker that outscores the current Kosta-Brownes at a third the price, this one is quite the bargain.
