03 Jul Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Davis Bynum 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Sipping a wine on its own can be enjoyable. But when it is paired with a dish of food and both the wine and the food are enhanced, it is even better. As I attended a very delicious dinner at Republique in Los Angeles with winemaker Greg Morthole of Davis Bynum Wines, that is what happened. As we tasted a flight of Russian River Pinot Noirs, I was captured by the fresh elegance of the Davis Bynum 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. But when it was paired with porcini agnolotti topped with freshly shaved truffles, the wine shined even more. That is why the Davis Bynum 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

About David Bynum

Davis Bynum started making wine in 1951 and made his first Pinot Noir in 1973. He was the first person to produce single vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and was instrumental in bringing the prestige to Russian River Valley vineyards. In 2007, Tom Klein, owner of Rodney Strong Vineyards, purchased the Davis Bynum brand. Greg Morthole started working for Rodney Strong Vineyards in 2005 and in 2010 he became the winemaker for Davis Bynum. That same year he met Davis Bynum and the two would go out to lunch and talk about a range of topics including wine, art, and travel. They were friends until David Bynum passed away at the age of 92 in 2017.  Today Greg Morthole carries on the Davis Bynum legacy. He honors Bynum’s philosophy to “let the land speak” and also loves Russian River Pinot Noir for its complexity and friendliness.

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from warmer climates with fruit from cooler climates. Each block is aged separately for 14 months before the final blend is made. 2022 was a very hot vintage yet this wine is fresh and delicious. It has aromas of ripe red cherry, baking spices, toasty oak, and mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is smooth and balanced with red cherry and savory notes. The wine finished with racy acidity and a fresh elegance.

Food Pairing

The wine was paired with porcini mushroom agnolotti with Red Cow parmesan and freshly shaved black truffle. The savory notes of the wine harmonized with the umami notes of the porcini mushroom and the acidity and fresh red cherry finish on the wine contrasted with the richness of the agnolotti and the cheese. It was a lovely pairing.

Where To Purchase

The 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir retails for $45. It is in distribution and can be found in retail stores but can also be purchase directly from the Davis Bynum website.

Meet The Winemaker

Get to know Greg Morthole on the Wine Soundtrack podcast.