Review: 2022 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir – Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley
Papapietro Perry isn’t just a winery whose name is really fun to say out loud. It also makes some stellar wines from its home base in Sonoma County, California. We recently received two pinot noirs from its 2022 vintage. Let’s taste.
Updated 5/2026 with coverage of the Peters Vineyard selection.
2022 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – Surprisingly light-bodied for a coastal pinot, this wine exudes a lively character that features aggressive cherry notes, big notes of brewed black tea, and a droplet of caramel that adds a touch of sweetness. Tart but not overbearing, the wine is heavy on its own but pairs beautifully with food, offering a cleansing, tempering quality to balance out heavier meals. Hints of orange blossom lift up what might otherwise have been a weighty finish. Good stuff. A- / $64
2022 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Leras Family Vineyards – This is a bright and beautiful Russian River pinot, informed by ample depth and nuance, with notes of orange blossoms, tea leaves, and a light layer of gravelly turned earth. A pinch of anise adds a subtly dangerous quality to the wine as it develops in glass, counterbalancing its brooding, dried cherry qualities while amplifying late-game notes of chocolate and toasted sesame. It’s much lighter and brighter than the typical current-era RRV pinot, and that’s a very good thing. A / $69
2022 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Peters Vineyard – Another classic expression of Russian River pinot, rich and well-structured but never overbearing or unctuous in tone. A bright ray of orange peel perks up otherwise traditional notes of cherry and boysenberry, with earthy elements visible, but kept decidedly in reserve. The wine becomes slightly more gravelly and savory as it sits in the glass and on the palate for a bit, with notes of tea leaf and cola becoming more prominent as the body gets some air and further develops. Distinct notes of chocolate and cinnamon on the finish recall some of the elements of the Leras Family Vineyards bottling. A delight. A / $69
2022 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Leras Family Vineyards
USD69
