2018 Ketcham Russian River Royale Pantomime Pinot Noir

Ketcham Estate is one of Russian River Valley’s best-kept secrets—though not to everyone. Decades ago, when the late Mark Ketcham first acquired this Healdsburg vineyard, he sought the wisdom of two regional legends: Joe Rochioli and Burt Williams. Their advice? Leave the Pinot Noir vines exactly as they are.

These vines—planted back in 1973, before Russian River Valley became synonymous with world-class Pinot—are among the oldest still producing fruit in the region. Today, those heritage blocks continue to thrive, now under the stewardship of a powerhouse all-female team.

Allie Ketcham, who took the reins after Mark’s passing, brings her Midwest grit and artistic sensibility to the role of proprietor. She and longtime wine veteran Renée Graves oversee a small but mighty operation where quality, not quantity, is the guiding principle. In the cellar, the real magic happens thanks to winemaker Tami Collins. With a background in science and a palate for precision, she crafts deeply expressive Pinot Noirs with finesse, structure, and soul.

The Impressionist Series—and particularly the Ketcham Estate 5 Russian Clone Pinot Noir—is a masterclass in what Russian River Pinot can be. Clones 115, 626, 777, 828, and Pommard 4 come together like instruments in a chamber orchestra—each distinct, but harmonizing to create something poetic. The vineyard’s combination of sunny days, cool marine breezes, and red loam soils infuses the fruit with lifted aromatics, silky textures, and complexity worthy of serious collectors.

2018 was a banner year for Sonoma Pinot. In fact, Vinous Media awarded the vintage a near-perfect 98 points, calling it “spectacular” and noting that “many producers made some of the finest wines of their careers.” This bottle is from that same celebrated vintage, and what’s more—it’s had time to rest, integrate, and emerge in full splendour.

While many estates in the neighbourhood (literally) have become household names—think Gary Farrell, J Vineyards, Rochioli, and Williams Selyem—Ketcham remains quietly exceptional. Their wines are rarely seen in the wild, let alone at this age and at this price.

If you’ve ever wanted to taste what insiders are whispering about, now’s the time. This is pure Russian River charm in the glass—velvety, vibrant, and ready to drink.

Finding an older vintage Russian River Valley Pinot Noir at this price is an incredible deal. It represents the classic taste of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This wine is WONDERFUL!

Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels.

Russian River Royale’s Pantomime is an old world Burgundian wine with earthy spices and minerals on the nose, leading to the perfume of French Oak. e heart of this wine comes the Pommard-4 clone. e avor prole personies the Burgundy region of France with dark cherries, dark chocolates, ripe berry and earthy true, the signature of the Pinot Noir Pommard-4 clone. Together with a mix of Dijon clones, this blend provides Pantomime with the signature Russian River Valley taste, balancing wonderful acidity with a silky, smooth nish. Cheers!

NYR

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