Dec 30, 2022
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Bucher Vineyard
| Owner(s) | Bucher Family |
| Link to this site |
Located on Westside Road near Arista Winery in Healdsburg, the land is a source of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and organically certified milk. The 360-acre farm dates to 1958 when Joe and Annemarie Bucher, Swiss immigrants, started the farm with 50 milking cows. The second generation including Joe's son, John, a graduate of the University of California at Davis) run the operation which now has 600 certified organic cows (and another 600 cows in Valley Ford and Petaluma).
Joe Bucher grew up with Joe Rochioli and they become close friends. The vineyard was first planted in 1997 when John expanded the family operation to include wine grapes. Pommard and Dijon Pinot Noir clones were established initially with the assistance of winemaker Bob Cabral. Heritage clones including Swan, Mt. Eden and Jackson have been planted into what is now fifteen blocks spread over 40 acres.Fruit from Bucher Vineyard goes to several wineries including Williams Selyem, Arista, Siduri, Holdredge, Papapietro Perry, C. Donatiello Winery and Frank Family Vineyards.
In 2011, the Bucher Vineyard label was launched with the aid of Siduri winemaker Adam Lee. A Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were the first releases. A Pinot Noir block is being grafted over to Chardonnay so the Bucher Vineyard Chardonnay will be an estate wine in the future.
Articles About Bucher Vineyard
Reviewed Wines
2015 Bucher Unoaked Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.70,154 cases,
$30. Released April 1, 2016. Wente clone 4 and Robert Young clone 17. Harvest Brix 22.3º average.
Aged 5 months in 100% stainless steel.
·
Very light golden yellow color in the glass. The scent of
tropical fruits, lemon oil and butterscotch lead off. Highly flavorful, with layers of lemon, pineapple,
crisp apple, and honeydew melon goodness in a superbly balanced wine that is slightly creamy in the
mouth and finishes with some purpose. I am not usually a big fan of unoaked Chardonnay, but I found
this wine to be extremely inviting.
Score: 93.
Reviewed August 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.54, 545 cases,
$40. Released March 15, 2016. Composed of all seven Pinot Noir blocks in the vineyard with the backbone
being Swan selection. Clones are Swan, Mt Eden, Pommard, Jackson 16, and Dijon 667. Aged 10 months in
French oak barrels, 20% new.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. A cherry dominated wine with
added fruit notes of black raspberry and blackberry in a mid weight plus style that is nicely composed. There is
an undertone of organic manure and ashen oak that is somewhat typical of this vineyard reflective of its history
as a cow pasture in the past.
Score: 91.
Reviewed August 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Rio Oro Russian River Valley Chardonnay
13.4% alc., pH 3.6, TA 0.60. $40. Released
October 16, 2015. The Bucher family has farmed in the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley for
over 50 years. Wente clone 4 and Robert Young clone 17. Harvest Brix 22.6º average.Aged 9 months
in French oak barrels, 20% new.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass. Lavish aromas of lemony
custard, Golden Delicious apple, wildflower honey and brioche. Sleek, bright and crisp on the palate
with sumptuous flavors of lemon, grapefruit and apple with a compliment of oak infused blond caramel
and honeyed nuts. Beautifully crafted, with sound acidity and noticeable finishing length.
Score: 94.
Reviewed August 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Pommard Clone Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.75, TA
0.60, 142 cases, $50. Released March 15, 2016.
·
Inaugural bottling. Harvest Brix 24.2º average. Aged 10
months in 50% new French oak barrels. Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. A handsome wine with
revelatory aromas of Bing cherry, strawberry and subtle toasty oak. Darker fruit flavors accented with clove
spice lead the way on the mid weight palate, backed by filigree tannins. Nicely composed, with good finesse,
and a pleasing finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed August 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Three Sixty Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.55,
143 cases, $60. A distinctive blend of the vineyard providing a 360 degree view of the fruit. Jackson clone,
Pommard clone, and Dijon 667 clone. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, spice and mulch open the way for flavors of dark Bing cherry,
spice and cola robed in silky tannins. Good vibrancy, with a little more mid palate intent and finishing power
than the RRV bottling. Less manure note also. Very RRV in character.
Score: 92.
Reviewed August 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Bucher Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $18, screwcap.
·
Moderately deep pink
orange color in the glass. Aromas of dried herbs, underbrush, and shellfish salinity. Moderately full on the
palate with flavors of cherries, orange-infused cranberries, and savory dried herbs. The wine picks up interest
and fruitiness over time in the glass and is still fine two days later from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle.
Score: 89.
Reviewed May 15, 2014
ARTICLE »
2015 Bucher Unoaked Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.70,154 cases, $30. Released April 1, 2016. Wente clone 4 and Robert Young clone 17. Harvest Brix 22.3º average. Aged 5 months in 100% stainless steel. · Very light golden yellow color in the glass. The scent of tropical fruits, lemon oil and butterscotch lead off. Highly flavorful, with layers of lemon, pineapple, crisp apple, and honeydew melon goodness in a superbly balanced wine that is slightly creamy in the mouth and finishes with some purpose. I am not usually a big fan of unoaked Chardonnay, but I found this wine to be extremely inviting. Score: 93. Reviewed August 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.54, 545 cases, $40. Released March 15, 2016. Composed of all seven Pinot Noir blocks in the vineyard with the backbone being Swan selection. Clones are Swan, Mt Eden, Pommard, Jackson 16, and Dijon 667. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. A cherry dominated wine with added fruit notes of black raspberry and blackberry in a mid weight plus style that is nicely composed. There is an undertone of organic manure and ashen oak that is somewhat typical of this vineyard reflective of its history as a cow pasture in the past. Score: 91. Reviewed August 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Rio Oro Russian River Valley Chardonnay
13.4% alc., pH 3.6, TA 0.60. $40. Released October 16, 2015. The Bucher family has farmed in the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley for over 50 years. Wente clone 4 and Robert Young clone 17. Harvest Brix 22.6º average.Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Lavish aromas of lemony custard, Golden Delicious apple, wildflower honey and brioche. Sleek, bright and crisp on the palate with sumptuous flavors of lemon, grapefruit and apple with a compliment of oak infused blond caramel and honeyed nuts. Beautifully crafted, with sound acidity and noticeable finishing length. Score: 94. Reviewed August 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Pommard Clone Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.60, 142 cases, $50. Released March 15, 2016. · Inaugural bottling. Harvest Brix 24.2º average. Aged 10 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. A handsome wine with revelatory aromas of Bing cherry, strawberry and subtle toasty oak. Darker fruit flavors accented with clove spice lead the way on the mid weight palate, backed by filigree tannins. Nicely composed, with good finesse, and a pleasing finish. Score: 92. Reviewed August 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Bucher Three Sixty Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.55, 143 cases, $60. A distinctive blend of the vineyard providing a 360 degree view of the fruit. Jackson clone, Pommard clone, and Dijon 667 clone. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, spice and mulch open the way for flavors of dark Bing cherry, spice and cola robed in silky tannins. Good vibrancy, with a little more mid palate intent and finishing power than the RRV bottling. Less manure note also. Very RRV in character. Score: 92. Reviewed August 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Bucher Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $18, screwcap. · Moderately deep pink orange color in the glass. Aromas of dried herbs, underbrush, and shellfish salinity. Moderately full on the palate with flavors of cherries, orange-infused cranberries, and savory dried herbs. The wine picks up interest and fruitiness over time in the glass and is still fine two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 89. Reviewed May 15, 2014 ARTICLE »