Dec 30, 2022
Search This Site:
Hibou Wine Cellars
| Owner(s) | Jason Driscoll |
| Web site | www.hibouwine.com |
| Link to this site |
A single Russian River Valley Pinot Noir crafted by Jason Driscoll. He started the brand in 2014 with a friend, producing a single Pinot Noir from Riddle Vineyard. An Alder Springs bottling was added in 2016.
The wine is allocated to members of the mailing list.
Articles About Hibou Wine Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2016 HIBOU Alder Springs Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 75 cases, $45. Vineyard
planting began in 1993 by Stu Bewley. 100% whole cluster. Clone 459. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels,
25% new, and racked just before bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the
glass. Pleasing aromas of dark cherry, dark red berry, forest floor, underbrush and cola. The mid weight plus
essence of well-spiced boysenberry and blackberry fruits is initially framed by imposing tannins. The lustrous
texture pleases as does the slightly astringent, yet bountiful finish. When tasted the following day from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle, the tannins showed some amelioration and the fruit was more
bounteous. The 100% whole cluster creates the tannic load but this will improve with more time in bottle.
Score: 93.
Reviewed April 14, 2018
ARTICLE »
2016 HIBOU Riddle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 100 cases, $60.
Clones 115 and Pommard. 45% whole cluster (the 115 block was harvested at about 24 Brix and
de-stemmed entirely; the Pommard block was harvested at about 25 Brix and fermented using
100% whole cluster). Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new (clone 115 aged in two
neutral barrels, Pommard aged in one new and one neutral barrel). Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Alluring aromas of exotic spices, red and purple berries,
forest and floral bouquet. Quite long and fulfilling in the mouth with a delicious mid weight core of
boysenberry and black raspberry fruits touched by spice. Seductive in mouth feel with silky tannins and an
extended finish. Considerably better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle when the nose sent me reeling.
Score: 94.
Reviewed April 14, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Hibou Riddle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
23 months
·
Wonderful expressive nose
offering aromas of purple grape and berry, blooming rose, pine needle and earthy flora. Mid weight flavors of
blackberry and black raspberry framed by imposing oak. Creamy in texture, with balanced tannins and some
finishing intensity. Seems to be showing more oak than when reviewed originally. Previously 96
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 4, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Hibou Riddle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.60, 144
cases, $58. Released October 1, 2015. Harvest Brix 24.8ยบ. 50% 115 and 50% Pommard. The
Pommard block was fermented with 100% whole clusters so the final blend is 50% whole cluster.
Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 50% new Remond. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of fresh black cherries, spice, underbrush and a sweet floral
intricacy. The perfectly ripened Bing cherry core is flat-out delicious, accented with a bit of spice, cola,
dark chocolate and a trace of umami for good measure. Enviable composure and uncommon
drink ability, with matched tannins and acidity, judicious use of oak, and a long, cherry-infused finish.
This is one of a few exceptional Pinot Noirs that illicit emotion to the point that your excitement fuels a need to
tell someone about it. I told my spouse who tasted the wine and absolutely loved it, and together we finished
the wine quickly later in the day with dinner. Sublime.
Score: 96.
Reviewed February 26, 2016
ARTICLE »
2016 HIBOU Alder Springs Vineyard Mendocino County Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 75 cases, $45. Vineyard planting began in 1993 by Stu Bewley. 100% whole cluster. Clone 459. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, and racked just before bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of dark cherry, dark red berry, forest floor, underbrush and cola. The mid weight plus essence of well-spiced boysenberry and blackberry fruits is initially framed by imposing tannins. The lustrous texture pleases as does the slightly astringent, yet bountiful finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the tannins showed some amelioration and the fruit was more bounteous. The 100% whole cluster creates the tannic load but this will improve with more time in bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »
2016 HIBOU Riddle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 100 cases, $60. Clones 115 and Pommard. 45% whole cluster (the 115 block was harvested at about 24 Brix and de-stemmed entirely; the Pommard block was harvested at about 25 Brix and fermented using 100% whole cluster). Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new (clone 115 aged in two neutral barrels, Pommard aged in one new and one neutral barrel). Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Alluring aromas of exotic spices, red and purple berries, forest and floral bouquet. Quite long and fulfilling in the mouth with a delicious mid weight core of boysenberry and black raspberry fruits touched by spice. Seductive in mouth feel with silky tannins and an extended finish. Considerably better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle when the nose sent me reeling. Score: 94. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Hibou Riddle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
23 months · Wonderful expressive nose offering aromas of purple grape and berry, blooming rose, pine needle and earthy flora. Mid weight flavors of blackberry and black raspberry framed by imposing oak. Creamy in texture, with balanced tannins and some finishing intensity. Seems to be showing more oak than when reviewed originally. Previously 96 Score: 92. Reviewed February 4, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Hibou Riddle Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.60, 144 cases, $58. Released October 1, 2015. Harvest Brix 24.8ยบ. 50% 115 and 50% Pommard. The Pommard block was fermented with 100% whole clusters so the final blend is 50% whole cluster. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 50% new Remond. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of fresh black cherries, spice, underbrush and a sweet floral intricacy. The perfectly ripened Bing cherry core is flat-out delicious, accented with a bit of spice, cola, dark chocolate and a trace of umami for good measure. Enviable composure and uncommon drink ability, with matched tannins and acidity, judicious use of oak, and a long, cherry-infused finish. This is one of a few exceptional Pinot Noirs that illicit emotion to the point that your excitement fuels a need to tell someone about it. I told my spouse who tasted the wine and absolutely loved it, and together we finished the wine quickly later in the day with dinner. Sublime. Score: 96. Reviewed February 26, 2016 ARTICLE »