Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The magical Petaluma Gap, could this be the wine that puts this soon-to-be approved AVA on the map? Ana Keller, a top wine industry leader, is one of the great champions of the Petaluma Gap and its potential for top Pinot Noirs. Rich and not overbearing, the 2013 Keller Estate El Coro is one of the true showcases of the Petaluma Gap. Deep ruby, garnet in color; active and vivacious aromas of red and black fruit, with a fine note of dried leaves, driven by vineyard purity; medium bodied, layered and expansive on the palate; dry, fine acidity, well balanced; bold flavors of blue and black fruits, with the support of the earth below; long finish, chewy rich and brightly zesty aftertaste. (Tasted: December 11, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine & Spirits
El Coro sits on the highest point of the Keller estate, at 500 feet of elevation on gravelly volcanic soil. The vines are constantly buffeted by cool Pacific winds rushing through the Petaluma Gap. In 2013, the site grew a powerful pinot noir with impressive balance, the deep, rich, alcohol-warmed sunniness of its raspberry-red fruit cooled by a taut line of acidity and savory conifer-bark aromas. There’s a compelling concentration of flavor here; its appetizing layers will become more discernable with another three or four years of age.
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.