Winemaker Notes
The 2023 La Neblina Pinot Noir opens with a lifted chorus of fresh red currant, ripe cherry, and raspberry liqueur that immediately captivates the senses. The pronounced fruit character deftly mingles with delicate woodsy undertones and warm, toasted Belgian Speculoos nuances, offering subtle layers of earthy complexity. A whisper of wintergreen adds intrigue, while polished tannins frame the finish with finesse. Gracefully energetic, the 2023 La Neblina Pinot is delightfully inviting from the first sip and lingers long after.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir La Neblina comes from three different coastal vineyards and multiple clonal selections. It was fermented with 25% whole clusters and matured for 16 months in 15% new French oak. It has pure aromas of pomegranate, cranberry and raspberry plus nuances of conifer, damp earth and bitters. The palate is bursting with concentrated, spicy, nuanced flavors. It’s structured by silky tannins and refreshing acidity and has a long, layered finish.
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Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir La Neblina is a gorgeous entry-level wine in this range. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint and dried herbs give this mid-weight, juicy Pinot tons of energy. The 25% stems are not especially evident. As always, Neblina is a blend of fruit from Alberigi, Dierke and the estate.
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.