Winemaker Notes
On the nose, pomegranate, orange zest, and cedar. On the palate, fresh boysenberry, plum, and black licorice are complemented by subtle layers of green tea. Followed by rich texture, supple tannins, and a vibrant acidity
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Flush with mulberry and boysenberry pate de fruit notes, this red is backed by melted licorice and sweet spice accents on the caressing, flattering finish, which is sneakily long thanks to the well-buried acidity. For the fruit-loving crowd. Drink now through 2033. 1,353 cases made.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Pinot Noir Sealift Vineyard sports a darker ruby/purple hue as well as aromas of black cherry liqueur, mocha, and pressed purple flowers. Full-bodied and generous with immediate fruit up front and a good lift of fresh acidity on the finish, it’s lush with pine and black and red fruit, with its rosy floral perfume lasting on the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose of this wine is a balance between darker cherry and cranberry aromas, with black tea, cinnamon and sage emerging as the glass swirls. On the palate, fresh floral flavors come to the front along with brighter cranberry and savory mushroom. There’s some grippy tannins here, with balancing acidity. A few years in the cellar might round things out nicely
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.