Winemaker Notes
Aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate rise from the glass, accented by hints of rose petal, wild herbs, and coastal minerality. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and layered, showing flavors of cranberry, black tea, and subtle baking spice. The cool, extended growing season delivered refined tannins, racy acidity, and a long, elegant finish, balancing purity of fruit with savory undertones of forest floor.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Displaying a purple-toned hue, the 2023 Pinot Noir Chateau Buena Vista is a seductive offering with a rich perfume of cedar, blackberries, woodsy spice, and lavender. It’s juicy on the palate, with a rounded feel, a plush texture, and medium to full-bodied richness. It has a lot of depth and complexity without feeling heavy and should do well over the coming 10-12 years.
Rating: 93+ -
James Suckling
A vivid, well-balanced and full-bodied red that's rich in black cherry, clove and oak spice flavors. Dark plums, cedar, cinnamon and star anise on medium tannins. Drink now or hold.
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.