Freeman Winery

KR Ranch Pinot Noir

From 2004 through 2015, Freeman made a vineyard-designated Pinot Noir from Keefer Ranch in the Russian River Valley. When the Dutton family took over the management of this famous block in 2016, we came up with a new name for it: KR Ranch. The property sits in the center of the Green  Valley, located in the southern and western parts of the Russian River Valley.  This area is much cooler than those at the appellation’s northern end, so it is ideally suited to growing Pinot Noir.

We’re happy to report that 2021 was a smoke-free vintage for all of coastal California, and the first vintage since 2016 with virtually no wildfires in Sonoma wine country. This was a stark contrast to 2020, when the entire county’s vineyards were threatened by smoke. We did not produce a KR Ranch Pinot Noir in 2020, but fortunately, 2021 was a return to normal. 

Each vintage, we receive two side-by-side blocks of KR—featuring the Dijon clone 777 and the Swiss clone 23 (also known as Mariafeld). Due  to variations between the clones in cluster size and vine morphology,  the blocks ripen at different rates. With clusters approximately the size of a closed fist, the 777 is typically ready for harvest a week or two earlier than the 23. The 23 has a long, loose cluster, resembling Syrah more than Pinot Noir. Combining these clones has always made an excellent blend for Freeman.

The 2021 KR Ranch Pinot Noir has a dark, cherry red color, along with subtle aromas of dark chocolate, lavender, anise and baking spices. Initially soft and supple, the wine’s moderate acidity comes through strongly on the mid-palate with flavors of red rope candy, black cherries and fresh plums.  With its long finish, expect the KR Ranch to age gracefully for many years and be at its best from late 2023 through 2034.