Bynum! Ring a bell?

Pinot OGs know all about DAVIS Bynum.

Youngsters will know it as the brand it is these days, but he was a true pioneer. As their website attests: “In 1973, when Davis Bynum first released his small lot of single vineyard Pinot Noir from the famed Rochioli vineyard in Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir was a relative stranger to the region, but the fickle grapes thrived in the unique terroir. The first to produce single vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Davis Bynum was instrumental in bringing the prestige to Russian River Valley vineyards, still acclaimed as one of California’s finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir growing regions.”

Even superheroes don’t live forever. Wine Spectator announced the inevitable in 2017 “Sonoma Wine Legend Davis Bynum Dies at 92” - you can read up all about his legacy here.

Davis had a daughter who was determined to follow in his footsteps as a winemaker…

In 2014 Susie Bynum launched her own label. She started very, VERY small with 2-3 barrels. In 2015, for this wine, she partnered with the Rosenblums, another legendary Sonoma family, to harvest from their prime Russian River Valley Pinot Noir vineyard. No doubt the Force was strong with her, the winemaking DNA clearly shows in this wine. Without the word out much though, and under the shadow of the Davis Bynum brand now owned by Rodney Strong, these few cases were stashed away…

Until we unearthed them!

What’s in the bottle? Pure Russian River Pinot bliss - with the added benefit of 7 cellar years, that magic wand of just the right amount of tertiary development. Still ripe, lush, primary, and smooth. Clean, pure, and well-defined in floral, violet, wild raspberry, and spice aromas, it coats the palate, with silky tannins, floral pastille, dried apricot, and incense hints that keep going. Got miso-glazed wild sockeye?

Overall, a lovely wine that easily warrants its $40 and up profile.

At this price, it’s an obvious no-brainer while it lasts.