2023 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2023 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

Kanzler

Pinot Noir 2023
Russian River Valley

2023 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

When Alex Kanzler crafts his Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, it is less about winemaking and more about attentive listening. Each unique vineyard block from his family’s estate and four carefully chosen neighbors offers its own perspective: one whispers delicate perfume, another brings depth, a third imparts tension. His craft lies in weaving those voices into harmony, creating a wine that resonates with both intimacy and grandeur.

For years, the Kanzler vineyard has quietly underpinned the work of renowned producers like Kosta Browne and Rivers-Marie, but here, its fruit takes center stage. In 2023, the season’s clarity produced a Pinot Noir that is both generous and refined, a rare duality that reveals why celebrated winemakers return to these vines year after year.

To drink this wine is to recognize the artistry of restraint. Rather than chasing excess, Kanzler lets detail define the experience. The result is a Pinot Noir that is elegant yet powerful, detailed yet effortless, and unmistakably expressive of place. A wine that genuinely captures the heart and soul of the Russian River Valley. 

Kanzler
Pinot Noir 2023
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $69

Your Price: $59.99

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“This Pinot gives fresh cherry, orange pith and cola spice aromas on the nose, giving way to a palate with bright acid, plush tannin and flavors of cherry pie filling, cinnamon, clove and rose petals lingering along the finish.”

91 Points

2022 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2022 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

Kanzler

Pinot Noir 2022
Russian River Valley

2022 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

With the 2022 vintage, Kanzler presents a Pinot Noir that unfolds like a dialogue between vineyard and winemaker—intimate, expressive, and unmistakably Russian River Valley. Each sip tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship, echoing Kanzler’s uncompromising dedication to producing Pinot Noir that surpasses anticipation, embodying vibrant fruit and layered character.

Kanzler Vineyard’s fruit is cherished, forming the backbone of some of California’s most celebrated Pinot Noirs for over two decades. When renowned producers like Kosta Browne, Lynmar, and Rivers-Marie consistently return vintage after vintage, it underscores the confidence inspired by extraordinary terroir and meticulous farming practices.

Winemaker Alex Kanzler skillfully blends estate-grown grapes with carefully selected fruit from four neighboring vineyards, each chosen for its unique contribution to the wine’s refined complexity. His intuitive approach to winemaking is gentle, precise, and thoughtful, resulting in a Pinot Noir of striking elegance and lasting presence. A wine that genuinely captures the heart and soul of the Russian River Valley.

Kanzler
Pinot Noir 2022
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $69

Your Price: $59.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Aromas of toasty barrel spice and cherry lollipop waft from the nose of this medium bodied wine. The palate is saturated with flavors of raspberry candy, menthol, caramel and black tea. Pair this with miso glazed salmon. Best from 2026-2035.”

91 Points

2018 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2018 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

KANZLER

2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2018 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Kanzler’s Russian River Pinot is flawlessly balanced and epitomizes cool-climate, domestic Pinot Noir at the highest level, making it the appropriate choice as my number 1 wine in 2020. Even after tasting around 5,000 wines this year, Kanzler is fresh on my mind. Their team utilizes top-level farming practices, skilled winemaking, and they source from some of the best Pinot Noir vineyards in California. At $60, this is one of the finest domestic Pinot Noirs that I’ve tasted. 
 
The winery’s Estate Vineyard in Sebastapol has well-drained Goldridge soils and a fog blanket from the Pacific that’s ideal for growing Pinot Noir. Their vineyard caught the eye of Kosta Browne, who’s made a single-vineyard Pinot from Kanzler for nearly 20 consecutive vintages. This 2018 is primarily Estate fruit and includes almost 25% fruit from Walker Station Vineyard, a source for Paul Hobbs for years. 
 
Kanzler set out to make the best Pinot possible from their Estate. To meet their goal, they exercise everything from meticulous farming to double-hand sorting. They also utilize partial whole-cluster fermentation for added depth. Their winemaking is gentle, precise, and skilled, and the results are simply stunning.
 
KANZLER
2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
“This gorgeous Pinot Noir begins with a deep, rich, concentrated nose including tart candied red fruits, opulent black fruits, fresh sage, delicate rose petals, and gunflint. On the palate, it combines compact, bright fruit featuring focused Burgundy plums, ripe Bing cherries, tart pomegranates, dried currants, and baking spices. Its finish is decadent, very alluring and complex with an incredible intensity that’s powerful, lush and long, along with an incredible balance that gives me goosebumps.”
96 Points
 
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir wine is opulent and rich while still displaying great freshness. The classic silky Pinot texture is more chocolate mousse than heavy whipping cream, and the tannins show enough grip to hold and frame the wine without being bitter or obtrusive. The high percentage of once-used barrels imparts a subtle oak characteristic that enhances and compliments the fruit and spice character. After opening for several hours, exotic sweet-spice notes reminiscent of liquors in the Vin Santo or Fernet range begin to appear, further enhancing the intrigue and complexity of this Pinot Noir.”
2018 Kanzler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2018 Kanzler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

KANZLER

2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2018 Kanzler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Kanzler was first to plant grapes in the Sebastapol hills Southwest of the town of Sebastapol, where the well-drained Goldridge soils and fog blanket from the Pacific turned out to be ideal for Pinot Noir grapes. Their vineyard quickly caught the eye of Kosta Browne, who made a single-vineyard Pinot from their vineyard for nearly 20 consecutive vintages. Kanzler’s own 2018 Russian River Pinot is primarily Estate fruit and includes almost 25% fruit from Walker Station Vineyard, which was a source for Paul Hobbs for years. At $60, this is one of the finest domestic Pinot Noirs that I’ve tasted.
 
Kanzler set out to make the best Pinot possible from their Estate. To meet their goal, they exercise everything from meticulous farming to double-hand sorting. They also utilize partial whole-cluster fermentation for added depth. Their winemaking is gentle, precise, and skilled, and the results are simply stunning. 
 
The 2018 Russian River Valley Pinot is from 65% Estate fruit, blended with sites sharing similar, and complementing qualities. The wine balances penetrating and remarkably detailed fruit with silky tannins and fresh acidity. It’s my go-to wine in the shop to grab to take to dinner, and one of my favorite Pinots that I’ve tasted this year.
 
KANZLER
2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“The 2018 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir wine is opulent and rich while still displaying great freshness. The classic silky Pinot texture is more chocolate mousse than heavy whipping cream, and the tannins show enough grip to hold and frame the wine without being bitter or obtrusive. The high percentage of once-used barrels imparts a subtle oak characteristic that enhances and compliments the fruit and spice character. After opening for several hours, exotic sweet-spice notes reminiscent of liquors in the Vin Santo or Fernet range begin to appear, further enhancing the intrigue and complexity of this Pinot Noir.”