Winemaker Notes
The 2019 continues a string of superb bottlings of the Sonoma Coast Pinot noir. This is not surprising as it is made from 100% Estate barrels of Pinot noir but nevertheless there is something about the aroma of the 2019 that I find particularly alluring. Bright red fruit aromas of pomegranate, cherry skin, and raspberry interplay with floral sandalwood, hibiscus and Rooibos tea notes. There is a lot of fruit and floral impact but the wine is not heavy or juicy, just intense. That is not common as floral wines tend to be “lighter” and yet this has significant depth. The finish has our signature elements of bark and black tea persisting along with the fruit notes.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of ripe red fruit, spice and a bit of incense. Medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins. Pleasantly juicy with good depth and structure. Hints of mint and paprika come through.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has a medium ruby-purple color and scents of cranberry and red cherries with accents of dusty earth, citrus peel, forest floor and autumn leaves. The medium-bodied palate is bright and spicy with grainy tannins, appealing bursts of acidity, lots of spicy layers and a long, uplifted finish.
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.