Winemaker Notes
This is the fifth vintage of Riesling we have released from Cole Ranch. This monopole is both a vineyard and an appellation as it is isolated on Hwy 253 between the towns of Boonville and Ukiah. With no vineyards in any direction for miles, Cole Ranch has a truly unique microclimate. It sits at an elevation of 1200+ feet, making it one of the few high-altitude Riesling sites in California.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Riesling Cole Ranch is superb. A wine of dimension and power, the 2023 has so much going on. Orchard fruit, chamomile, dried flowers and light tropical notes all run through this ample, layered Riesling. The long, resonant finish is striking.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A bright straw/silver color, the 2023 Riesling Cole Ranch Vineyard is lifted with attractive, savory aromas of petrol, lime oils, pine needles, and fresh green melon. Medium-bodied, it’s zesty and fresh, with a lovely, elegant, chalky texture, a vibrant and balanced spine of refreshing acidity, and a fully dry feel.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Riesling Cole Ranch Vineyard is scented of grape candy, bread dough, citrus blossoms and hints of petrol. The light-bodied palate is bone dry, its highly concentrated flavors balanced by electric acidity, and it has a long, gently honeyed finish.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
A large and diverse appellation within California’s North Coast AVA, Mendocino is home to several smaller sub-regions—most notably the Anderson Valley. This scenic region, with rolling hills covered in redwood forests as well as vineyards, is one of the world’s top producers of certified organically-grown grapes. Due to wide geographical and climatic variation, a vast array of wine styles can be found here.