Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A subtle, seductive style with understated plum and black cherry, touches of mineral and cedar. Gains richness and depth, ending with a burst of flavor. Drink now through 2020.
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Wine Enthusiast
There's lots to like in this Pinot Noir, which is a blend of fine vineyards throughout the appellation. It's dry, silky and tart, with flavors of wild cherry, cranberry, softened cola, sautéed mushroom and new oak. Give it a bit of decanting.
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.