Winemaker Notes
Aromas of black cherry, muddled strawberry, and just ripe raspberry are followed by earthy notes of portobello mushroom and black tea, with hints of violet, rose, and vanilla. On the palate Bing cherry, pomegranate, and wild strawberry are followed by forest floor and toasty oak notes. The acid and tannin intermingle nicely and the lasting oak carries the wine to a long finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From a coastal site littered in volcanic ashy soils, this beautifully crafted wine is crisp, lively and high-toned, with characteristics of cranberry, pomegranate and a touch of green tea. Made in an elegant, refined style, the oak and tannin are understated and integrated, adding structure and grace.
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.