Winemaker Notes
The "Isabelle" Pinot Noir cuvée is layered with gentle notes that are each distinct, yet harmonious. It is a wine in which we select the top pinot noir barrels for blending, this year containing six vineyards and four different AVAs-- it is undoubtedly complex . Bright red fruit characteristic of the central coast is at the forefront, closely followed by more intricate notes of candied cranberry, white pepper, and jasmine. Upon aeration, notes of moss and whole nutmeg seed provide a subdued earthy note. On the palate, red fruit carries alongside softer tastes of roasted cocoa beans and old-fashioned baked vanilla custard. A juicy acidity and firm tannin structure give this wine length on the palate and a delicate mouthfeel. "Isabelle" is always an exciting wine to age.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A selection of the best barrels in the winery, regardless of region or appellation. Energy and density weave together harmoniously, though the heat of 2022 is clear. Grilled plums join brandied cherries and mocha to make for a rich, accurate expression of the vintage without being overripe. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the nose on the 2022 Pinot Noir Isabelle, a 100% Pinot Noir that was completely destemmed and aged 24 months in 100% new French oak. It offers ripe redcurrants, framboise, spice, and bergamot tea-like nuances on the nose. Incredibly complex and nuanced aromatically, it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a pure, polished mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and nicely integrated tannins and oak. Drink bottles over the coming 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2035.
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Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Noir Isabelle is a barrel selection from a variety of sites. The 2022 is very, very ripe, verging on volatile, with powerful, extracted brambly fruit and cola-like nuances. Aging in mostly new oak for two years in barrel yielded a big, modern wine that feels a bit out of step with the house style. That, coupled with the warmth of the vintage, pushed this right to the edge, but it holds together. Drink this in the near term.
Internationally recognized for gorgeous, pure fruit combined with great elegance, California Pinot noir thrives among the state’s cooler, coastal zones. Characterized by eclectic flavors and aromas of strawberry, black cherry, plum and potpourri with notes of forest floor, mushroom or black tea, the best California Pinot noir boast a supple texture and good acidity, giving them the ability to improve with age.
Credited with the beginning of Pinot noir’s glory in California, two growers, Joe Rochioli and Joseph Swan in the late 1960s independently planted Pinot noir vineyards in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Today Sonoma County remains the leading producer of Pinot noir in the state, and Pinot noir is the leading red grape in the county, achieving its highest potential, in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Other coastal appellations where Pinot noir flourishes include Carneros, Anderson Valley and most of the Central Coast.