Olema Pinot Noir 2018
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
Blend: 97% Pinot Noir, 3% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is really beautiful with crushed strawberries and hints of raspberries with some savory undertones. Forest flowers, too. Full body and slightly austere tannins. Creamy and finely crafted. Lovely finish. 97% pinot noir and 3% petite sirah. Drink now.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A smoking value that’s sourced from Sonoma County, Russian River, Carneros, and Petaluma Gap, the 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma County is a pretty, medium-bodied, elegant red that has classy cranberry and tart cherry fruits as well as hints of spring flowers. Brought up in 35% new oak, it’s hard to beat at the price.
Other Vintages
2021-
James
Suckling
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James
Suckling
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Enthusiast
In 2005 after a decade of building their highly acclaimed flagship Napa Valley estate, Amici Cellars’ proprietors, John Harris and Bob Shepard, launched its sister brand, Olema, a distinct collection of wines that are focused on fruit and terroir, well-balanced in structure, excellent everyday wines.
The stand-alone brand is recognized for its portfolio of thoughtfully crafted, approachable wines. Under the direction of Amici Cellars’ skilled winemaking team, Olema has swiftly grown a fan following with wine critics and customers for its classic varietals and fresh new look.
At Olema the goal is to bring the best possible fruit to the cellar. The more the vines are in balance, the better the fruit, and the better the fruit, the easier it is to make great wine. From when the grapes arrive at the winery to when the wine is bottled, the Olema team ensures that its wines are both true to their classic varietal characteristics and growing regions.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.