Dec 30, 2022
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Montagne Russe
| Web site | www.russewines.com |
| Link to this site |
A producer of single vineyard Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, Mendocino and Santa Lucia Highlands.
This winery started humbly in a Napa garage in 2006.
Vineyard sources include Alder Springs, Spring Hill Ranch, Robert's Road and Tondre Grapefield.
Tasting in the winery's caves in Petaluma will begin December 2019.
Articles About Montagne Russe
Reviewed Wines
2018 Montagne Russe Terra de Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 95 cases,
N/A. Aged 10 months on the lees in oak, 40% new. Calera clone.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass.
Pleasant aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, cassis, vanilla and caramel. Mid-weight plus in style with a
plethora of well-ripened, darker cherry and berry fruits backed by svelte tannins. Tobacco oak plies the
background. A sense of alcoholic heat shows up over time as the wine warms in the glass.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 21, 2022
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Tondré Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
15.3% alc., 100 cases, $N/A.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. This is a well-oaken wine on both the nose and palate. Aromas of black
cherry compote and rose petal lead to a mid-weight plus styled wine with integrated tannins and a silken
mouthfeel. The alcohol is well submerged and the long finish is replete with ripe-fruited goodness.
Score: 90.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Tondre Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
15.3% alc, 100 cases, $N/A.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. A strong smell of oak pervades the nose that also offers aromas of black
cherry compote and rose petal. Full-bodied, with a succulent core of oak-kissed black cherry, blackberry and
pomegranate fruit flavors. The high ABV offers a silken, polished mouthfeel. Beautiful fruit but too much oak
overlay.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 21, 2022
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 350 cases, $32. Aged in oak on the lees for
10 months, 10% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of Bing cherry, baking spices and
sweet oak. Confected fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry with a hint of vanilla. Soft, gentle tannins and a
moderate finish. Less appealing over time in the glass and a hint of alcoholic heat shows up as the wine warms
in the glass.
Score: 88.
Reviewed February 21, 2022
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Dragon’s Back Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 143
cases, $60. Aged on the lees in French oak, 40% new for 10 months.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass.
Pleasing aromas of blueberry, blackberry and forest floor. A cheerful and uplifting wine offering discretely
concentrated flavors of black cherry and dark red berry with an herbal thread and only a shadow of oak. Wellmannered
tannins and balancing acidity. If you believe in minerality, this wine has it!
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 21, 2022
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Terra de Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 95 cases, $65.
Calera clone. Aged on the lees for 10 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
·
Pleasant aromas of black cherry,
pomegranate, cassis and oak-driven spice and caramel. Full-bodied in style, with an array of rich, well-ripened
darker berry fruits. A big boy Pinot Noir, yet enough acidity to retain some brightness and not tiring to drink. The
mouthfeel is luscious and the tannins are well integrated. There is the slightest bit of alcoholic heat on the
finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed August 1, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Spring Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 115 cases, $69. Aged
on the lees for 10 months in French oak, 40% new.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose offers
a noticeable floral perfume along with scents of earth and terra-cotta. Full-bodied, lush and creamy with a gush
of blackberry and cassis flavors framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins. The fruit pushes the ripeness envelope
but does not cross over into sur maitre.
Score: 91.
Reviewed February 21, 2022
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Le Meilleur Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 25 cases, $105. A selection of the
five best barrels from the 2018 harvest. A blend of grapes from five vineyards. Aged for 12 months in new
French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Engaging aromas of black cherry cola, baking
spices, forest floor and sawdust. Richly appointed array of dark red and black fruit flavors with a nice spice
accent. The fruit is vivid with good weight and presence. Very polished with admirable balance.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 21, 2022
ARTICLE »
2017 Montagne Russe Dragon's Back Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.7%
alc., 86 cases, $50.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of white flower blossom, dark
cherry and oak-driven toast and spice. Mid-weight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry. Gentle
tannins, with the slightest oak in the background. A very agreeable wine that has excellent balance
and some finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed October 26, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Montagne Russe Dragon’s Back Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., 86
cases, $50. Released January 1, 2019.Clone 777. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light
garnet color in the glass. Aromas of white flower blossom, dark cherry and oak-driven toast and spice. Midweight
flavors of black cherry and black raspberry. Gentle tannins, with the slightest oak in the background. A
very agreeable wine that has excellent balance and some finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Silver and Gold Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
13.4% alc.,
42 cases, $50. Released March 1, 2019. Primarily clone 4/Wente. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels
·
Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of toasty oak, grilled lemon, pineapple and poached pear.
Flavors of oak-charged citrus, yellow apple, burnt caramel and vanilla. Slightly viscous in the mouth, with a
good cut of acidity on the finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Roberts Road Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., 92 cases, $58.
Released January 1, 2019. Clones 115 and Pommard. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
Light garnet color
in the glass. Leading off are aromas of cherry, forest flora and a floral note. Light in weight but flavorful, offering
tastes of cherry and purple grape backed by gracious tannins. An easygoing, elegant style with admirable
balance and a cherry-fueled, modest finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Roberts Road Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., 92 cases,
$58. Dijon 115 and Pommard clones.13.7% alc., 42 cases, $69.
·
Light garnet color in the glass.
Leading off are aromas of cherry, forest flora and a floral note. Light in weight but flavorful, offering
tastes of cherry and purple grape backed by gracious tannins. An easygoing, elegant style with
admirable balance and a cherry-fueled, modest finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed October 26, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Montagne Russe Spring Hill Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 42 cases, $69. Released
January 1, 2019. Clone 667, 115 and Swan. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate garnet color in the
glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, fertile earth, rose petal and vanilla. Middleweight in style, with a core of
black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. Oak chimes in with a bit of char and smoke. The tannins are wellmatched,
and the wine builds in character over time in the glass.
Score: 92.
Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Spring Hill Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 42
cases, $69.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, fertile earth, rose
petal and vanilla. Middleweight in style, with a rich core of black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors.
Oak chimes in with a bit of char and smoke. The tannins are well-matched, and the wine builds in
character over time in the glass.
Score: 92.
Reviewed October 26, 2019
ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Terra de Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 95 cases, N/A. Aged 10 months on the lees in oak, 40% new. Calera clone. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasant aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, cassis, vanilla and caramel. Mid-weight plus in style with a plethora of well-ripened, darker cherry and berry fruits backed by svelte tannins. Tobacco oak plies the background. A sense of alcoholic heat shows up over time as the wine warms in the glass. Score: 89. Reviewed February 21, 2022 ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Tondré Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
15.3% alc., 100 cases, $N/A. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. This is a well-oaken wine on both the nose and palate. Aromas of black cherry compote and rose petal lead to a mid-weight plus styled wine with integrated tannins and a silken mouthfeel. The alcohol is well submerged and the long finish is replete with ripe-fruited goodness. Score: 90. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Tondre Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
15.3% alc, 100 cases, $N/A. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. A strong smell of oak pervades the nose that also offers aromas of black cherry compote and rose petal. Full-bodied, with a succulent core of oak-kissed black cherry, blackberry and pomegranate fruit flavors. The high ABV offers a silken, polished mouthfeel. Beautiful fruit but too much oak overlay. Score: 89. Reviewed February 21, 2022 ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 350 cases, $32. Aged in oak on the lees for 10 months, 10% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of Bing cherry, baking spices and sweet oak. Confected fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry with a hint of vanilla. Soft, gentle tannins and a moderate finish. Less appealing over time in the glass and a hint of alcoholic heat shows up as the wine warms in the glass. Score: 88. Reviewed February 21, 2022 ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Dragon’s Back Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 143 cases, $60. Aged on the lees in French oak, 40% new for 10 months. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of blueberry, blackberry and forest floor. A cheerful and uplifting wine offering discretely concentrated flavors of black cherry and dark red berry with an herbal thread and only a shadow of oak. Wellmannered tannins and balancing acidity. If you believe in minerality, this wine has it! Score: 92. Reviewed February 21, 2022 ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Terra de Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 95 cases, $65. Calera clone. Aged on the lees for 10 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Pleasant aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, cassis and oak-driven spice and caramel. Full-bodied in style, with an array of rich, well-ripened darker berry fruits. A big boy Pinot Noir, yet enough acidity to retain some brightness and not tiring to drink. The mouthfeel is luscious and the tannins are well integrated. There is the slightest bit of alcoholic heat on the finish. Score: 90. Reviewed August 1, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Spring Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 115 cases, $69. Aged on the lees for 10 months in French oak, 40% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose offers a noticeable floral perfume along with scents of earth and terra-cotta. Full-bodied, lush and creamy with a gush of blackberry and cassis flavors framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins. The fruit pushes the ripeness envelope but does not cross over into sur maitre. Score: 91. Reviewed February 21, 2022 ARTICLE »
2018 Montagne Russe Le Meilleur Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 25 cases, $105. A selection of the five best barrels from the 2018 harvest. A blend of grapes from five vineyards. Aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Engaging aromas of black cherry cola, baking spices, forest floor and sawdust. Richly appointed array of dark red and black fruit flavors with a nice spice accent. The fruit is vivid with good weight and presence. Very polished with admirable balance. Score: 93. Reviewed February 21, 2022 ARTICLE »
2017 Montagne Russe Dragon's Back Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 86 cases, $50. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of white flower blossom, dark cherry and oak-driven toast and spice. Mid-weight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry. Gentle tannins, with the slightest oak in the background. A very agreeable wine that has excellent balance and some finish. Score: 92. Reviewed October 26, 2019 ARTICLE »
2017 Montagne Russe Dragon’s Back Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., 86 cases, $50. Released January 1, 2019.Clone 777. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of white flower blossom, dark cherry and oak-driven toast and spice. Midweight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry. Gentle tannins, with the slightest oak in the background. A very agreeable wine that has excellent balance and some finish. Score: 92. Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Silver and Gold Black Knight Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
13.4% alc., 42 cases, $50. Released March 1, 2019. Primarily clone 4/Wente. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of toasty oak, grilled lemon, pineapple and poached pear. Flavors of oak-charged citrus, yellow apple, burnt caramel and vanilla. Slightly viscous in the mouth, with a good cut of acidity on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Roberts Road Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., 92 cases, $58. Released January 1, 2019. Clones 115 and Pommard. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Light garnet color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of cherry, forest flora and a floral note. Light in weight but flavorful, offering tastes of cherry and purple grape backed by gracious tannins. An easygoing, elegant style with admirable balance and a cherry-fueled, modest finish. Score: 90. Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Roberts Road Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., 92 cases, $58. Dijon 115 and Pommard clones.13.7% alc., 42 cases, $69. · Light garnet color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of cherry, forest flora and a floral note. Light in weight but flavorful, offering tastes of cherry and purple grape backed by gracious tannins. An easygoing, elegant style with admirable balance and a cherry-fueled, modest finish. Score: 90. Reviewed October 26, 2019 ARTICLE »
2017 Montagne Russe Spring Hill Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 42 cases, $69. Released January 1, 2019. Clone 667, 115 and Swan. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, fertile earth, rose petal and vanilla. Middleweight in style, with a core of black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. Oak chimes in with a bit of char and smoke. The tannins are wellmatched, and the wine builds in character over time in the glass. Score: 92. Reviewed September 20, 2019
2017 Montagne Russe Spring Hill Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 42 cases, $69. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, fertile earth, rose petal and vanilla. Middleweight in style, with a rich core of black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. Oak chimes in with a bit of char and smoke. The tannins are well-matched, and the wine builds in character over time in the glass. Score: 92. Reviewed October 26, 2019 ARTICLE »