Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Coming from the estate vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, this barrel sample of the 2019 Pinot Noir Clos du Ciel is due to be bottled in just a few days. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the nose features a lovely earthiness, delivering scents of mossy tree bark, wild fungi and damp soil over a core of redcurrant jelly, black raspberries and pomegranate with a waft of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is densely packed with red and black berry layers and tons of earthy undertones, framed by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Rating: (96 - 97)+
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Wine Spectator
Shows luscious up-front spiciness, with notes of ripeness to the layered dark plum, currant paste and blackberry tart flavors that are loaded with toasty richness. The long, plush finish offers chocolate and brioche accents. Drink now through 2027.
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.