May 5, 2013
Cork Dork Etude: Inspired Wines of the Carneros the Gardener: Got Organic Grapes? Bravium: Relish the Acidity Rivers-Marie: 2010 & 2011 Reflect the Challenges of Farming on the Edge Dunstan Wines from Durell Vineyard Foursight Wines: Family Excels with Pinot COBB Wines: No Wine Before Its Time Sips of Pinot: Wines Tasted Recently Rosé and Chardonnay: Recently Sampled Wines Pinot Briefs
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Vineyard: Keefer Ranch
| Appellation | Green Valley of Russian River Valley |
| Story | Keefer Ranch is located in the headwaters of Green Valley Creek, with gently sloping, well-drained,
south-facing exposure. The vineyard offers fruit that profits from a long, cool hang time resulting in
outstanding color and extract with both power and grace due to perfect tannin ripening conditions. Green Valley is one of the smallest appellations in Sonoma County and actually lies in the southwestern part of the Russian River Valley appellation. It is, however, distinctly delineated both geographically and climatically from the Russian River Valley. It is consistent in terms of soil, climate and flavor characteristics. Defined by fog, Green Valley is the first place where the fog comes in and the last place where it burns off, making it the coolest, foggiest part of the Russian River Valley. The predominant soil type of Green Valley is Goldridge loam, noted for producing high quality Pinot Noir grapes. Keefer Ranch wines exhibit the typical flavor profile of Green Valley. Pinot Noir shows ripe cherry and cranberry fruit, spice, lively acidity, soft tannins, supple texture, and beautiful structure. Chardonnay presents a clean, fresh, crisp, Gravenstein apple, complex citrus flavor profile, with a core of minerality, a long finish and great focus. Keefer Ranch was started in 1989 on the site of a former apple orchard in Sebastopol, California and is farmed by Marcy Keefer and her son Craig Strehlow. They currently sell grapes to many notable wineries (A.P. Vin, Failla, Freeman, Kosta Browne, Loring, Pali, Siduri), and have now begun the adventure of producing their own wine under the label of Keefer Ranch. |
| Varieties | Pinot Noir |
Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard
-
Kosta-Browne: Stylin’ in 2008 (8.32 3/1/2011)
Siduri Wines: A Modest Winery with an Ambitious Range (8.32 3/1/2011)
Kosta Browne Winery (6.46 11/20/2007)
A.P. Vin: Plenty of Pinot Singing (8.5 11/13/2009)
Siduri Wines Offers Something for Everyone in 2010 (9.3 2/22/2012)
Pali Wine Co.: Manages an Ambitiously Diverse Portfolio (8.18 7/15/2010)
Keefer Ranch: A Russian River Valley Treasure (7.17 5/7/2009)
Ed Kurtzman: Impressive Pinot Resume (9.5 4/4/2012)
Recent California Pinot Noir Releases (9.5 4/4/2012)
Siduri Wines: Variety is the Spice of Life and Pinot Noir (9.21 3/23/2013)
Beautiful Expressions of the Freeman Style (6.59 5/26/2008)
Styling with Kosta Browne (8.9 1/22/2010)
Pali Wine Co. Spans the Entire Northwest Pinot Trail (7.21 7/9/2009)
Tasting Pinot with Plenty of Noir (9.9 7/21/2012)
2007 Loring Wine Co Pinots (7.9 1/1/2009)
2009 Kosta Browne: Bombs Bursting In Your Mouth (8.42 8/11/2011)
Michael Browne: Kosta Browne (6.62 7/19/2008)
Marcy Keefer & Craig Strehlow: Keefer Ranch (6.62 7/19/2008)
Drinking Small Part 2 (8.27 12/14/2010)
Freeman Winery: Tasting the 08’s (8.13 4/8/2010)
Kosta Browne: Tasting the 08’s (8.13 4/8/2010)
Siduri Wines: Something for Everyone (8.13 4/8/2010)
Loring Wine Company: The Sample Pack (8.14 4/23/2010)
Wineries sourcing from this vineyard
Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard
2011 Siduri Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 320 cases, $52.
·
A
classy wine with a velvety array of red cherry and strawberry fruit accented with baking spices and oak, which
last through the generous aromatic finish. The acidity stands out in this wine. Adam likes to point out that the
best 2011 wines have concentration without weight and this wine personifies that. My only nit is that there is a
green thread running through this wine in the background. Good (+).
Reviewed March 23, 2013
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2010 Sandler Wine Co. Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., From
1 acre budded over to clone 23, a favorite of winemaker Ed Kurtzman.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple
color in the glass. Very appealing hi-tone aromas of fresh-picked cherries, baking spice and sawdust.
A cherry bombast with gossamer tannins, and a refreshing citrus-kissed cherry note on the finish. This
wine really grows on you over time in the glass. Still stellar two days later from a previously opened
and re-corked bottle. A striking contrast to the Bien Nacido bottling, displaying more vibrancy and
acidity, and equally appealing.
Reviewed April 4, 2012
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2010 Loring Wine Company Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., $48,
screw cap.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of hi-tone black cherries with pie spice.
Lush black cherry fruit with hints of herbal oak and cola. Seductively soft in the mouth with reasonable length
on the finish. Lacks the usual tension of wines from this cool vineyard and overplays the fruit angle, but is still
a very alluring drink. This vineyard consistently outperforms many others from this region. Very good.
Reviewed April 4, 2012
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2010 Siduri Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 395 cases, $50. Six clones separately fermented and barrel
aged. The ultimate blend was 43% clone 23, 31% clone 114, 19%
clone 2A and 7% clone 777. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate
reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose features redder fruits with a
nice whiff of spice and sandalwood. Very typical for this vineyard with a
nicely spiced black cherry flavor, good crispness, and fine, dusty tannins. Oak
adds a complimentary accent. In two words, very charming.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2010 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,177 cases, $78.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Characteristic Keefer nose of cherries, strawberries, bark
and spice. Delicious earth-kissed dark red cherry and berry flavors with a hint of minerality, oak and tutti-fruiti.
Restrained tannins, bright acidity, and a very long finish that offers an encore of bright fruit. Very good (+).
Reviewed July 23, 2012
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2009 Siduri Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 247 cases, $48.
·
Subdued but alluring perfume of
strawberries, red cherries, cream soda and dried rose petals. Delicious
and vivid cherry and berry flavors with hints of baking spice and oak. A
hi-collared wine with a lovely mouthfeel, comforting finesse, and a bright
pop of cherry on the finish. This vineyard continues to impress.
Reviewed March 2, 2011
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2009 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5%
alc., 816 cases, $72.
·
Reddish-purple hue in the glass. Lovely scent of just
picked red cherries and red berries, baking spices and sandalwood. Bright
and juicy flavors of spiced red cherries with a savory herbal note on the finish.
The most demure of the 2009 wines with plenty of charm and elegance and a
refreshing riff of acidity running through. Offers a clear sense of cool Green
Valley terroir. Very Good (+).
Reviewed August 13, 2011
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7%
alc..
·
Redder fruit profile with a melange of spices. A pretty wine with soft
tannins and a smooth finish. Very approachable now. Always the most feminine
wine in the KB lineup. Very good (+).
Reviewed April 9, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Loring Wine Company Keefer Ranch Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
15.1% alc., screw cap.
·
Aromas of black cherries, huckleberries, baking spices,
oak and a whiff of alcohol. Intense purple fruits with a big acid spine. Fruitdriven
but not jammy with a silky mouth feel. Develops interest in the glass over
time. Tasted the next day from a previously opened and re-screwed bottle the
aromas and flavors had become raisiny. Good, but drink up now.
Reviewed April 23, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Keefer Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 241 cases, $42.
Released June 20, 2010. Swan, Pommard 5 and Dijon clone 115. 20% whole cluster fermentation. Aged 12
months in 40% new French oak.
·
The nose blossoms over time offering lovely scents of black cherries, nutmeg,
cut flowers, and underbrush. A little darker and more intense than the 2007 offering, but remains a feminine
style with pleasing delicate dark red cherry fruit, gossamer tannins, an alluring silkiness, with an intense cherry
flavored finish. Beautifully balanced. Not offering all it is capable of now, this wine deserves further cellaring
for at least a year. Very Good.
Reviewed December 14, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Pali Wine Co. Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 225 cases, $44,
screw cap. Clones 777 and Pommard 4. Aged 10 months in 33% new French oak barrels.
·
Enticing aromas of
redder fruits including cherries and strawberries with accents of sandalwood and baking spices. Soft and
smooth in the mouth, displaying a medium-weighted core of tasty red berries slipping off the back of the palate
with a bright finish of admirable persistence. An exemplary wine that is typical of Pinot Noir from this venerated
vineyard. Very good.
Reviewed July 15, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Freeman Vineyard & Winery Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 445 cases,
$48. Aged 11 months in 35% new French oak.
·
Bright scents of strawberry and raspberry tart with hints of
baking spice and orange tea. Tasty panoply of redder fruits with herbs and tea leaves mixed in. Silky smooth
with soft tannins, bright acidity and an appealing elegance. A sweetheart wine that is very approachable now
and quite easy to drink. Very good.
Reviewed April 9, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Siduri Wines Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 247 cases, $48.
·
Lightest in color in the lineup of 2008 Pinot Noirs tasted. Starts off shy, picking up more fruit intensity in the
glass. Aromas of ripe strawberries, cherries, raspberries, red licorice, crushed rock and subtle oak. Oakkissed
dark red fruits are a bit flat and linear. Juicy with lively acidity, supple tannins, and pleasing finesse. A
definite oak influence should resolve with more aging. This wine hasn’t come together yet but is promising.
Good.
Reviewed April 9, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.63, $72. Keefer Ranch is owned and managed by Marcy
Keefer and her son, Craig Strehlow. Clones 23, 114, 115, 777, Pommard 5.
Located in the cool Green Valley.
·
Along with the Rosella’s, the most feminine
wine in the Kosta Browne lineup. A bit brooding but opens slowly to reveal
pleasing aromas and flavors of dried black cherries, plums and a melange of
fresh berries with a hint of minty oak. Discreetly concentrated with restrained
tannins and a welcoming soft and smooth texture, this vintage offers a darker fruited
interpretation of this vineyard. Very good.
Reviewed March 2, 2011
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 A.P. Vin Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 250
cases, $40, Stelvin screw cap. Clones 777, Pommard 4, 2A and 23. Aged 11 months in 50%
new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Redder fruits that are pure and bright with a touch of
herbs and baking spices on the nose. Intense cherry and raspberry core with noticeable
persistence on the finish marked by a touch of citrus tang. Well-proportioned with perfect
balance. The tailback in the lineup: not the biggest player, but flashy, in control and wellsculpted.
Very good (+).
Reviewed November 13, 2009
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 Keefer Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.42, 243 cases, $42. Swan and Pommard 5 clones.
20% whole cluster fermentation. Aged 12 months in 25% new French oak
barrels.
·
Bright Bing cherry aromas with a complimentary accent of spices
including nutmeg leading to crisp and satisfying flavors of black cherries,
strawberries, and raspberries with hints of spice box, cola and green tea that
fan out nicely on the pleasing finish. A seamless wine with silky tannins and no
discernible oak. A treasure of a wine that really delivers the goods.
Reviewed December 14, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 Keefer Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 243 cases, pH 3.45, $42. 9 day cold soak, 11 day fermentation, 20% whole cluster, aged 12 months in 25% new French oak.
·
A gently perfumed, ethereal style of
Pinot Noir, very feminine in character, but not delicate in flavor. The
nose is quite charming featuring crushed strawberries and
raspberries, summer herbs and violets. Fresh and juicy raspberry
juice in the mouth with some gregarious spice and marzipan. Soft and
silky with powdery tannins and a refreshing edge on the finish. A
perfectly composed wine with great purity of fruit. You will want to dance with
this one.
Reviewed May 7, 2009
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 Loring Wine Company Keefer Ranch Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 900 cases, $46.
·
This wine
really stands out from the pack. I would love to bottle the scents of Bing
cherries, strawberries, and baking spices. This wine has the reddest fruit
profile in the lineup, showing off crushed strawberries in particular. Modestly
weighted and easy to drink due to polished, dry tannins and an uplifting, tangy
and dry finish accented with grapefruit.
Reviewed January 1, 2009
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 Pali Wine Co. Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 289 cases, $50,
released spring 2009. Clones 777 and Pommard 4. Aged 10 months in 50% new French oak.
·
The nose starts
out earthy and oaky but evolves nicely in the glass revealing hi-tone Bing cherry and raspberry fruit with an oak
underpinning. Crisp flavors of dark red cherries and berries with an earthy bent. Smoothly textured and
finishing with tangy acidity and bright fruit. The pedigree of the vineyard shows through.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.55, 615 cases, $72.
This 50-acre vineyard (30 acres of Pinot Noir) is in the Green Valley appellation farmed by Marcy Keefer and
Craig Strehlow. Planted to nine clones, six of which are in this wine.
·
Lighter and redder in color in the glass.
Marvelous nose of bright Bing cherries, baking spice and cherry cola. The fruit is beautifully framed by supple
tannins and lively acidity creating a satisfying finish. A knockout paired with the duck.
Reviewed January 22, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2006 Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 143 cases,
$42.
·
Light reddish-purple in color. The nose offers fresh savory herbs with red
berries and cherries. Delicious delicate red fruits that are sweetly spiced and
elegantly presented. Soft and silky like red lingerie. A delight to drink. Naomi
Campbell on a Victoria Secret runway.
Reviewed July 19, 2008
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2006 Failla Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $45.
·
Confected cherries, exotic
spices, and dried herbs fill the nose. Delicious and juicy black cherry flavor with a sidecar of anise
and savory herbs. Silky smooth and seamless with diaphanous tannins. A little bigger than the Keefer
Ranch label, but hard to choose between them.
Reviewed July 19, 2008
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2006 Freeman Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $46.
·
Moderately deep
ruby color. The nose is a showy cherry bombast - rich and deep with damp earth accents. Substantial
black cherry core, smooth, clean and tangy with a lengthy finish. A woodsy, earthy touch adds interest. A
stellar wine from a top Sonoma County vineyard that is worthy of its own designation.
Reviewed May 26, 2008
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2006 Freeman Vineyards & Winery Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc.,
$46.
·
Moderately deep ruby color. A cherry bombast on the nose. Saucy, fat and lush black cherry core.
Appealing earthy touch. Clean, crisp and tangy finish that lasts and lasts. Naomi Campbell in hiking
boots.
Reviewed July 19, 2008
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc.,
556 cases. $68. Six clones including Pommard 5, Dijon, and Wädenswil.
Michael says this wine usually exhibits plenty of acidity due to its very cool
location. Refer to feature on Keefer Ranch Vineyard on page 13.
·
This is an
outstanding Pinot Noir that has a rich core of red berries and cherries that
expands in the mouth, coats the tongue, and proceeds to a lengthy and refreshing
finish. This one has the whole package.
Reviewed July 19, 2008
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2005 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 117 cases, $62
·
Medium light reddish-purple in color. Enticing aromatics offering Bing cherry, sweet spice, brown sugar,
herbs and toast. Plenty of concentrated cherry flavor with wild herbs that leap out. Complimentary oak
char. Nice finesse and lively acidity on a clean finish. The alcohol is submerged.
Reviewed July 19, 2008
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2005 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 117 cases. $62.
Clones are Pommard 5, 23 and 777.
·
Sexy nose of red strawberries, red raspberries and spice. Vivid and flamboyant fruit flavors that echo the aromas. Fine texture, svelte tannins and a lingering finish.
Reviewed November 20, 2007
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2011 Siduri Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 320 cases, $52. · A classy wine with a velvety array of red cherry and strawberry fruit accented with baking spices and oak, which last through the generous aromatic finish. The acidity stands out in this wine. Adam likes to point out that the best 2011 wines have concentration without weight and this wine personifies that. My only nit is that there is a green thread running through this wine in the background. Good (+). Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2010 Sandler Wine Co. Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., From 1 acre budded over to clone 23, a favorite of winemaker Ed Kurtzman. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Very appealing hi-tone aromas of fresh-picked cherries, baking spice and sawdust. A cherry bombast with gossamer tannins, and a refreshing citrus-kissed cherry note on the finish. This wine really grows on you over time in the glass. Still stellar two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. A striking contrast to the Bien Nacido bottling, displaying more vibrancy and acidity, and equally appealing. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2010 Loring Wine Company Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., $48, screw cap. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of hi-tone black cherries with pie spice. Lush black cherry fruit with hints of herbal oak and cola. Seductively soft in the mouth with reasonable length on the finish. Lacks the usual tension of wines from this cool vineyard and overplays the fruit angle, but is still a very alluring drink. This vineyard consistently outperforms many others from this region. Very good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2010 Siduri Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 395 cases, $50. Six clones separately fermented and barrel aged. The ultimate blend was 43% clone 23, 31% clone 114, 19% clone 2A and 7% clone 777. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose features redder fruits with a nice whiff of spice and sandalwood. Very typical for this vineyard with a nicely spiced black cherry flavor, good crispness, and fine, dusty tannins. Oak adds a complimentary accent. In two words, very charming. Reviewed February 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2010 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,177 cases, $78. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Characteristic Keefer nose of cherries, strawberries, bark and spice. Delicious earth-kissed dark red cherry and berry flavors with a hint of minerality, oak and tutti-fruiti. Restrained tannins, bright acidity, and a very long finish that offers an encore of bright fruit. Very good (+). Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2009 Siduri Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 247 cases, $48. · Subdued but alluring perfume of strawberries, red cherries, cream soda and dried rose petals. Delicious and vivid cherry and berry flavors with hints of baking spice and oak. A hi-collared wine with a lovely mouthfeel, comforting finesse, and a bright pop of cherry on the finish. This vineyard continues to impress. Reviewed March 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2009 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 816 cases, $72. · Reddish-purple hue in the glass. Lovely scent of just picked red cherries and red berries, baking spices and sandalwood. Bright and juicy flavors of spiced red cherries with a savory herbal note on the finish. The most demure of the 2009 wines with plenty of charm and elegance and a refreshing riff of acidity running through. Offers a clear sense of cool Green Valley terroir. Very Good (+). Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc.. · Redder fruit profile with a melange of spices. A pretty wine with soft tannins and a smooth finish. Very approachable now. Always the most feminine wine in the KB lineup. Very good (+). Reviewed April 9, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Loring Wine Company Keefer Ranch Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
15.1% alc., screw cap. · Aromas of black cherries, huckleberries, baking spices, oak and a whiff of alcohol. Intense purple fruits with a big acid spine. Fruitdriven but not jammy with a silky mouth feel. Develops interest in the glass over time. Tasted the next day from a previously opened and re-screwed bottle the aromas and flavors had become raisiny. Good, but drink up now. Reviewed April 23, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Keefer Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 241 cases, $42. Released June 20, 2010. Swan, Pommard 5 and Dijon clone 115. 20% whole cluster fermentation. Aged 12 months in 40% new French oak. · The nose blossoms over time offering lovely scents of black cherries, nutmeg, cut flowers, and underbrush. A little darker and more intense than the 2007 offering, but remains a feminine style with pleasing delicate dark red cherry fruit, gossamer tannins, an alluring silkiness, with an intense cherry flavored finish. Beautifully balanced. Not offering all it is capable of now, this wine deserves further cellaring for at least a year. Very Good. Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Pali Wine Co. Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 225 cases, $44, screw cap. Clones 777 and Pommard 4. Aged 10 months in 33% new French oak barrels. · Enticing aromas of redder fruits including cherries and strawberries with accents of sandalwood and baking spices. Soft and smooth in the mouth, displaying a medium-weighted core of tasty red berries slipping off the back of the palate with a bright finish of admirable persistence. An exemplary wine that is typical of Pinot Noir from this venerated vineyard. Very good. Reviewed July 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Freeman Vineyard & Winery Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 445 cases, $48. Aged 11 months in 35% new French oak. · Bright scents of strawberry and raspberry tart with hints of baking spice and orange tea. Tasty panoply of redder fruits with herbs and tea leaves mixed in. Silky smooth with soft tannins, bright acidity and an appealing elegance. A sweetheart wine that is very approachable now and quite easy to drink. Very good. Reviewed April 9, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Siduri Wines Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 247 cases, $48. · Lightest in color in the lineup of 2008 Pinot Noirs tasted. Starts off shy, picking up more fruit intensity in the glass. Aromas of ripe strawberries, cherries, raspberries, red licorice, crushed rock and subtle oak. Oakkissed dark red fruits are a bit flat and linear. Juicy with lively acidity, supple tannins, and pleasing finesse. A definite oak influence should resolve with more aging. This wine hasn’t come together yet but is promising. Good. Reviewed April 9, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.63, $72. Keefer Ranch is owned and managed by Marcy Keefer and her son, Craig Strehlow. Clones 23, 114, 115, 777, Pommard 5. Located in the cool Green Valley. · Along with the Rosella’s, the most feminine wine in the Kosta Browne lineup. A bit brooding but opens slowly to reveal pleasing aromas and flavors of dried black cherries, plums and a melange of fresh berries with a hint of minty oak. Discreetly concentrated with restrained tannins and a welcoming soft and smooth texture, this vintage offers a darker fruited interpretation of this vineyard. Very good. Reviewed March 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 A.P. Vin Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 250 cases, $40, Stelvin screw cap. Clones 777, Pommard 4, 2A and 23. Aged 11 months in 50% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Redder fruits that are pure and bright with a touch of herbs and baking spices on the nose. Intense cherry and raspberry core with noticeable persistence on the finish marked by a touch of citrus tang. Well-proportioned with perfect balance. The tailback in the lineup: not the biggest player, but flashy, in control and wellsculpted. Very good (+). Reviewed November 13, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 Keefer Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.42, 243 cases, $42. Swan and Pommard 5 clones. 20% whole cluster fermentation. Aged 12 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · Bright Bing cherry aromas with a complimentary accent of spices including nutmeg leading to crisp and satisfying flavors of black cherries, strawberries, and raspberries with hints of spice box, cola and green tea that fan out nicely on the pleasing finish. A seamless wine with silky tannins and no discernible oak. A treasure of a wine that really delivers the goods. Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 Keefer Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 243 cases, pH 3.45, $42. 9 day cold soak, 11 day fermentation, 20% whole cluster, aged 12 months in 25% new French oak. · A gently perfumed, ethereal style of Pinot Noir, very feminine in character, but not delicate in flavor. The nose is quite charming featuring crushed strawberries and raspberries, summer herbs and violets. Fresh and juicy raspberry juice in the mouth with some gregarious spice and marzipan. Soft and silky with powdery tannins and a refreshing edge on the finish. A perfectly composed wine with great purity of fruit. You will want to dance with this one. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 Loring Wine Company Keefer Ranch Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 900 cases, $46. · This wine really stands out from the pack. I would love to bottle the scents of Bing cherries, strawberries, and baking spices. This wine has the reddest fruit profile in the lineup, showing off crushed strawberries in particular. Modestly weighted and easy to drink due to polished, dry tannins and an uplifting, tangy and dry finish accented with grapefruit. Reviewed January 1, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 Pali Wine Co. Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 289 cases, $50, released spring 2009. Clones 777 and Pommard 4. Aged 10 months in 50% new French oak. · The nose starts out earthy and oaky but evolves nicely in the glass revealing hi-tone Bing cherry and raspberry fruit with an oak underpinning. Crisp flavors of dark red cherries and berries with an earthy bent. Smoothly textured and finishing with tangy acidity and bright fruit. The pedigree of the vineyard shows through. Reviewed July 9, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.55, 615 cases, $72. This 50-acre vineyard (30 acres of Pinot Noir) is in the Green Valley appellation farmed by Marcy Keefer and Craig Strehlow. Planted to nine clones, six of which are in this wine. · Lighter and redder in color in the glass. Marvelous nose of bright Bing cherries, baking spice and cherry cola. The fruit is beautifully framed by supple tannins and lively acidity creating a satisfying finish. A knockout paired with the duck. Reviewed January 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2006 Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 143 cases, $42. · Light reddish-purple in color. The nose offers fresh savory herbs with red berries and cherries. Delicious delicate red fruits that are sweetly spiced and elegantly presented. Soft and silky like red lingerie. A delight to drink. Naomi Campbell on a Victoria Secret runway. Reviewed July 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2006 Failla Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $45. · Confected cherries, exotic spices, and dried herbs fill the nose. Delicious and juicy black cherry flavor with a sidecar of anise and savory herbs. Silky smooth and seamless with diaphanous tannins. A little bigger than the Keefer Ranch label, but hard to choose between them. Reviewed July 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2006 Freeman Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $46. · Moderately deep ruby color. The nose is a showy cherry bombast - rich and deep with damp earth accents. Substantial black cherry core, smooth, clean and tangy with a lengthy finish. A woodsy, earthy touch adds interest. A stellar wine from a top Sonoma County vineyard that is worthy of its own designation. Reviewed May 26, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2006 Freeman Vineyards & Winery Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $46. · Moderately deep ruby color. A cherry bombast on the nose. Saucy, fat and lush black cherry core. Appealing earthy touch. Clean, crisp and tangy finish that lasts and lasts. Naomi Campbell in hiking boots. Reviewed July 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 556 cases. $68. Six clones including Pommard 5, Dijon, and Wädenswil. Michael says this wine usually exhibits plenty of acidity due to its very cool location. Refer to feature on Keefer Ranch Vineyard on page 13. · This is an outstanding Pinot Noir that has a rich core of red berries and cherries that expands in the mouth, coats the tongue, and proceeds to a lengthy and refreshing finish. This one has the whole package. Reviewed July 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2005 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 117 cases, $62 · Medium light reddish-purple in color. Enticing aromatics offering Bing cherry, sweet spice, brown sugar, herbs and toast. Plenty of concentrated cherry flavor with wild herbs that leap out. Complimentary oak char. Nice finesse and lively acidity on a clean finish. The alcohol is submerged. Reviewed July 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2005 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 117 cases. $62. Clones are Pommard 5, 23 and 777. · Sexy nose of red strawberries, red raspberries and spice. Vivid and flamboyant fruit flavors that echo the aromas. Fine texture, svelte tannins and a lingering finish. Reviewed November 20, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »
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