Chev Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018

NOSE
Boysenberry and cherry with light pastry cobbler and gentle aromas of savory spice, aged black tea and vanilla bean.

TASTE
Black cherry and juicy red plum intertwined with fresh earth and faint tobacco leaf. A seductive broad texture with vibrant acidity and a silky soft mouthfeel, followed by a suede finish with an earthy characteristic and a balancing high tone. Well-rounded with subtle, finely integrated tannins.

Drink 3-5 years after release, although it will age gracefully over the next 10 years when properly cellared.

Wine Advocate: 93
The 2018 Pinot Noir Chev has a medium ruby color and lovely aromas of cranberry sauce, black tea leaves, black cherries and dusty earth with a streak of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied, intense and layered, with a silky, seamless structure and very long finish.

Wine Enthusiast: 95
This opulent wine is jam-packed with red- and black-fruit flavors on a polished, broad and mouthfilling texture that gradually releases red-cherry, black-cherry, raspberry and rhubarb flavors, while boosting meaty, savory, forest-floor notes as well. A full body, ultrasmooth tannins and a touch of tangy fruit acidity bring it into good balance, too. Editors Choice.

Vinous: 94

The 2018 Pinot Noir is terrific. It offers plenty of Russian River exuberance, but in a mid-weight, translucent style that is hugely appealing. Succulent red cherry, blood orange, spice, leather and tobacco all open in this flavorful, expressive Pinot from Michael Browne. Stylistically, the Chev 2018 is a bit of a departure from Brown, it is more aromatic and finessed than the more exuberant style most readers know him for.

James Suckling: 92
Cherries, cranberries, chocolate orange, dried spices, violets, wild mushrooms and bark on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with sleek tannins and bright acidity. Spicy, vibrant and flavorful.

Jeb Dunnuck: 96
Lots of ripe red and darker berry fruits as well as notes of iron, sagebrush, and earthy, foresty notes emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir, a rich, medium to full-bodied beauty that has a great mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and enough structure to benefit from a year or two of bottle age and keep for a decade. This is a meaty, almost bloody Pinot Noir with loads of character.