Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Emmaline Ann Vineyard, fermented with 50% whole clusters, has dynamic aromas that segue from blueberry and boysenberry to nuances of tobacco, conifer, lavender and woodsy, earthy undertones. The light-bodied palate features concentrated, crunchy flavors. It’s structured by chalky tannins and mouthwatering acidity and has a long, bright finish.
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Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Noir Emmaline Ann Vineyard is gorgeous. Aromatic spice tones meld into a core of red-toned fruit, cedar, new leather and star anise. All the elements are so well-balanced. Supple contours wrap it all together in style as floral overtones reappear on the finish. This is such an expressive Pinot.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A transparent ruby red hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Emmaline Ann Vineyard is bright, zesty, and snappy, with medium-bodied aromas and flavors of pomegranate, cinnamon, and dried earth. This linear, leaner Pinot Noir will likely drink its best over the coming 10 years. It doesn't have quite the depth and intensity of the other wines, but it has a lot to offer, with real personality.
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James Suckling
Bright and lifted aromas of red cherries, dried strawberries, amaro liqueur, citrus peel and spices. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity, leading to a savory, drying finish.
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Wine Spectator
A friendly, open-knit version, with a mix of blood orange and raspberry pate de fruit notes laced with rose hip and a twinge of savory through the finish. Drink now through 2027. 220 cases made.
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.