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  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.

Each vintage, we receive two side-by-side blocks of KR—featuring Dijon  clone 777 and the Swiss clone 23 (also known as Mariafeld). This combination of clones has always made an excellent blend for Freeman. Due to variations between the clones in cluster size and vine morphology, the blocks ripen at different rates. (The 777 is typically ready for harvest a week or two earlier than the 23.) In 2019, the 777 came in on Sept. 7, and we picked the 23 10 days later, on Sept. 17.

The 2019 KR Ranch has a brilliant, dark ruby color, along with aromas that jump out of the glass with notes of marionberry, savory holiday pudding spice, sassafras and black tea. The wine’s texture is deceivingly delicate at first, followed by a burst of fruit, spice, earth and plenty of acidity—which all come together seamlessly. The KR is rounded out by a touch  of oak and a long finish of bright berries. The wine will be at its best from late 2021 through 2030.