Cirq Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021 (4-Pack)(OWC)

Michael Browne, of the widely acclaimed Sonoma Pinot house, Kosta Browne, launched his own brand, Cirq, in 2009 to focus solely on Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley’s most exquisite sites. As a child, he performed in a circus and now brings that same balance, intensity, and dedication to the winery his childhood job inspired. Cirq has quickly gained a reputation for some of the purest expressions of Pinot Noir in Sonoma County and the Russian River Valley, blending the highest quality fruit from some of the area’s most prized locations.

His 2021 bottling comes after a skipped 2020 vintage due to the fires, and is all the more well-received because of the fierce anticipation surrounding it. Receiving 99+ points from Jeb, who said, “the 2021 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley takes things to another level and is likely going to be just as impressive as the last release of 2019,” this is a generous and fresh Pinot Noir with an unending zest and a bright acidity. Suckling’s 95 point review continues this sentiment: “The balance is fresh, the feel is linear and electric, with an energized palate and lingering finish.” Hear, hear!

2021 was a nearly perfect growing year for Sonoma County – dry, cooler than 2020, and temperate, allowing healthful and slow vine growth to produce mature grapes with elaborate flavors. The wine is a blend of clones 23, 37, 115, 667, 777, 828, 943, Calera, Pommard, and Swan, aged for 15 months on 45% new French oak with 7% whole cluster. The experience is all at once fruity with decadent notes of strawberry rhubarb preserves, juicy black cherries, smashed raspberries, and dried cranberries, as well as earthy, with elements of turned soil, cedar, and dried flowers. A warming hint of cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and chocolate ganache wrap this up in something altogether lovely and ethereal, with an opulence and expressive tannic structure that leaves you wanting more. Such a stunning wine – and one you could just as easily pop open now as you could in 10 years! This is a chance to get well-pedigreed, impeccably made, highly allocated Pinot Noir from a Sonoma stalwart for a fraction of the regular price...don’t miss out!