Winemaker Notes
The 2022 West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir reflects the year’s beautiful growing season and the perfect September weather that brought the fruit to perfect ripeness. The gorgeous nose combines rich berry fruit, elegant floral notes, and old-school Pinot spice. Balanced acidity and round tannins frame the palate, which is medium-bodied and full of earthy, fruity and savory flavors.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Plenty of umami, stone, strawberry and orange peel aromas. Medium-bodied, crisp, floral and lightly smoky with a salty undertone. White peaches, strawberries and wild berries on the palate. So subtle and right. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
Lightly mulled blood orange and raspberry fruit keeps good tension as savory and red tea notes sparkle through the unadorned finish.
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.