Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Matured for 16 months in 52% new French oak, the 2021 Pinot Noir Tilton Hill is broody and foresty in character. It's scented of wild berries, conifer, woodsmoke, iron and earth. The medium-bodied palate has a concentrated core of dark fruit, chalky tannins, seamless acidity and a long, spicy finish.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy red and black cherry compote notes are infused with black tea and mulling spice accents. Offers a frankly toasty finish but shows juicy energy. Drink now through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 371 cases made.
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.