Winemaker Notes
Fog Swept Pinot Noir opens with vibrant notes of black cherry and wild strawberry, layered with subtle hints of black tea, mushroom, and bittersweet chocolate. The palate is marked by fresh, juicy acidity, an elegant mouthfeel, and fine-grained tannins. A touch of earthy complexity makes this wine synonymous with classic Pinot Noir.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
A pillow-light mouthfeel unveils cinnamon-dusted cranberry, fresh raspberry, parchment, and rose petal. Framed by white pepper and brilliant acidity, rich sunshine emerges through the wine's earth-laden core.
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Wine Spectator
Dried blood orange and sandalwood notes give this a pleasantly firm edge, while the light-bodied frame lets in pink grapefruit zest and rose hip hints.
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James Suckling
This full-bodied wine is a bit lean and firm in texture, with moderate tannins and noticeable acidity framing crisp raspberry and red-cherry flavors. It’s dry, taut and structured. Drink now or hold
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of dusty cherry, spiced raspberry, forest floor and rose petals dominate the nose of this rich Pinot. The palate displays rich tannic structure, with flavors of cranberry, baking spices, earth and fresh cut flowers.
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.