Winemaker Notes
A marvelous collection of thirteen small, independently family-owned vineyard sites come together in this gorgeous display of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. The color is dark rubygarnet with great density to the rim, hinting at the layered concentration this wine carries so effortlessly. Aromas of spicy, dried cherries, five-spice powder, cocoa and cranberry weave amongst fresh strawberries and kirsch liquor. Though nicely dense and full on the palate, the overt richness avoids heaviness with fresh acidity and bright berry fruit flavors that resolve on a long and detailed finish. At once powerful and concentrated, the 2016 maintains the essential elegance and subtlety that defines great Pinot Noir.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast comes from a handful of sites on the Sonoma Coast, and it too is more ruby/plum colored. Ripe strawberries, dried flowers, sweet earth, and spice notes all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a silky, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. As Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir goes, it's another rich, powerful wine from this estate. It should keep for 8-10 years or more.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a heck of a deal for the quality: an appellation wine with juicy intensity and a rich layering of red and blue fruit. With plenty of tannic power beneath its integrated texture are secondary notes of forest, clove and black tea that complement the fruit beautifully.
Editors' Choice -
Wine & Spirits
This massive wine is freighted with extract, its flavors of macerated cherries creating a bright beam of sweet fruit that lasts, the cleanness of the finish bringing you back for more. The tannins have a sandstone abrasion along with a bitter pomegranate note. Serve it with grilled salmon glazed with ginger and maple syrup.
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Wine Spectator
Intense and vibrant flavors of dark cherry, cedary spice and cola are backed by powerful acidity, with medium-grained tannins on the sinewy finish. Best from 2020 through 2023.
The Sonoma Coast AVA is large in area but, not counting overlapping regions like Russian River Valley, only has a few thousand acres of grapevines—and it’s no wonder. Much of the region is rugged and not easily accessible. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean’s fog and cool breezes limits the varieties that can be cultivated, but it proves to be an ideal environment for high quality Pinot Noir.
Since fog is a frequent fact of life here, as are heavy marine layers that sometimes bring rain, the best vineyards are wisely planted above the fog line, on picturesque ridges that capture enough sun to provide even ripening. That, with the overnight drop in temperature that reliably preserves acidity, results in fine expressions of Pinot Noir that often receive tremendous critic and consumer praise alike, and are often in high demand.