Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from the Sonoma Coast, the 2019 Pinot Noir Belly Of The Whale is a more reserved, inward, and focused wine offering a beautiful blend of spiced red and black fruits intermixed with bouquet garni, crushed stone, and exotic spice-like aromas and flavors. More medium-bodied on the palate, it has a wonderful mid-palate, building yet perfectly ripe tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is another remarkable wine from Bibiana González Rave. It will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years in cool cellars. Bravo!
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Wine Enthusiast
Ample aromas of roasted raspberry, white pepper, lemon pepper and rose petals make for a very inviting nose on this bottling. There's approachable richness on the palate, with poached strawberry, and then waves of chai spice leading into a warm, vanilla-laced finish. Fresh acidity pumps through the entire experience.
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Wine Spectator
Ripe and plush, with sculpted dark fruit and berry flavors that are loaded with rich spice and savory accents. Creamy midpalate, with chocolate tart accents on the finish.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.