Davis Bynum

Owner(s) Rodney Strong Wine Estates
Web site www.davisbynum.com
 
Link to this site

Davis Bynum established the first winery on Westside Road and was the first to produce a single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley (1973). When Davis Bynum Winery was sold to Thomas George Estates, the Davis Bynum label was acquired by Tom Klein and the Klein family, a fourth generation California farming family (Rodney Strong Wine Estates). 2013 marks the 40-year anniversary of Davis Bynum's first single vineyard Pinot Noir.

The initial focus was on the Russian River Valley featuring fruit blended from Backbone Vineyard, Crinella Ranch and Garfield Ranch. With the 2011 vintage, Davis Bynum recommitted to producing single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines only. The winemaker is Greg Morthole.

Davis Bynum is still actively promoting his former label by public appearances and participation in tastings.

Reviewed Wines

2016 Davis Bynum Jane’s Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.58, 15,741 cases, $25.99 (BB), $35 (SRP). Double Gold and Best of Class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Winemaker Greg Morthole, and consulting winemaker David Ramey. Clones 2A, 23, 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. Harvest Brix 26.4º. 5-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 87% French and 13% Hungarian, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. On the nose, black cherry shows up over time along with aromas of vanilla and charcoal. Much better on the palate, with a plethora of black cherry, black raspberry and spice flavors in a middleweight style. A friendly wine with integrated tannins. A trace of alcoholic warmth shows up on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed June 18, 2019 ARTICLE »

2014 Davis Bynum Jane’s Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.56, 10,354 cases, $35. Harvest Brix average 24.9º. Clones 113, 114, 115, 777, 667, 2A, 23 and Pommard. Grapes are de-stemmed to stainless steel tanks for cold soak, followed by fermentation with native yeasts. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 31% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of a plethora of dark fruits including black cherry and black raspberry complimented with toasty oak. Impressive harmony and soothing in the mouth, with middleweight flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and baking spice. Easy to cozy up to, finishing with a kiss of fruit that literally slides off the back of the palate. Score: 91. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »

2014 Davis Bynum Jane’s Vineyard Clone 23 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.55, 192 cases, $55. Clone 23, imported from Wädenswil, Switzerland in 1966, is known as the Mariafeld clone. Harvest Brix 26.3º. Fermentation initiated with native yeasts. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels 36% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of fresh Bing cherry, spice and rose petal. Gutsy but not ponderous, with a flavorful core of earthy black cherry and mushroom flavors that engage the palate. Lush in the mouth, with deft oak management, a balanced tannic backbone, and a juicy finish filled with black cherry goodness. A grounded Pinot with character. Score: 92. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »

2011 Davis Bynum Jane’s Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $35. 107 acres of Pinot Noir in the Santa Rosa plain region of the Russian River Valley. Clones 113, 114, 115, 777, 667, 2A and 23 planted in shallow, well-drained, low-vigor, gravelly loam soil. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Winemaker is Greg Morthole. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Russian River Valley signature Bing cherry and spice on the nose. Soft, smooth and pleasing, with mid weight flavors of cherry pie, cola and baking spice. Plenty of dark cherry shows up on the lengthy finish which leaves a tease of oak in its wake. Score: 89. Reviewed November 9, 2013 ARTICLE »

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