Winemaker Notes
Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is fruit-forward, expressive and elegant. Dark ruby in color, it displays aromas of black cherry and plum backed by subtle notes of mocha and vanilla. The palate is bright and full of cherry cola fruit with vanilla and oak undertones. It finishes with velvety soft tannins and lingering notes of cherry.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very fresh, fruity and spicy, balanced toward the rich side, with a good, full body and a mouth-filling texture. Pine boughs, cinnamon, forest floor and good length on the finish. Light tannins and moderate acidity keep it slightly tangy.
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Wine Spectator
A stylish red, with blood orange and raspberry notes that show a gently mulled edge but still keep a fresh and focused feel through the finish, which is infused with potpourri and rooibos tea.
Perhaps no other winery captures the casual luxury of Sonoma County better than Chalk Hill Estate. Founded nearly four decades ago, this spectacular 1300-acre property features 300 acres of vineyards, wilderness areas, winery, hospitality center, culinary garden, residence, stables, equestrian pavilion, sports fields, fishing and swimming ponds, and guest houses.
The winery's vineyards are thoughtfully woven through the native foliage and contoured to fit the intricate terrain. More than two-thirds of the Chalk Hill Estate remains uncultivated. The higher elevations offer stunning views of the Russian River Valley to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east.
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.