2018 Chev. Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 750 ml

If we had to list our top names of the Russian River Valley, Michael Browne would be one of the first to come to mind. The Kosta Browne founder has been a staple in Sonoma since the 1990s, creating wines that have topped the Wine Spectator Top 100, and long been considered benchmarks for the region.

In 2009, Michael branched out and began his own passion project, CIRQ., referring to his early childhood circus career: He grew up in  a youth circus, focused on, mastering fire-eating, the unicycle, and the trapeze. The man is never afraid to follow his heart, he began his CIRQ, with a focus on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the most exceptional sites in the Russian River Valley. 

For Michael’s next trick, he has recently launched Chev! This wine label is dedicated to artisans and craftsmen like his father, who spent hours in his home workshop carving, welding, and sculpting. The goal is to make hand-crafted wine from grape to glass. Michael states that Chev is not bound by the confines of the Russian River Valley, again leaving us all in anticipation of what is next to come. Chev may find its way to top sites in Oregon, Washington, and the central coast of California. This first vintage of Pinot Noir is bursting with bright red fruit and allspice. The signature cola and bramble of the Russian River Valley come through, and finish with a jolt of acidity.