Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Notes of raspberries, strawberries, rose petals and ample floral, sappy nuances emerge from the 2014 Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard, which has rocking purity, notable freshness and a lively, clean, medium to full-bodied feel on the palate. Coming from a site on the Sonoma Coast, fermented with 14% whole clusters and aged in 41% new French oak, this is one of the more classic, cool-climate releases from this team. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.
-
Wine Spectator
The purity and brilliance of the plum and raspberry fruit rises to the occasion, giving this depth, complexity and persistence. Presents a supple texture amid the pleasant weave of savory touches.
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.