Winemaker Notes
The estate Hillcrest sits atop a hill rooted in shallow, rocky soil receiving excellent sunlight
and is immersed by fog nearly every evening. A mere 10 miles from the ocean, the grapes
from this site tend to have moderate acidity, approachable fruitiness, and excellent
aromatics.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Energetic and expressive, the nose of this Pinot comes in waves with aromas of spiced blackberry coulis, freshly crushed Bing cherries, orange peel and anise, while the palate delivers perfectly balanced tannin and racy acidity, with echoes of clove, cinnamon and black plum lingering for a good while. Best from 2028-2040.
Cellar Selection -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Pinot Noir Day One Estate is from a monopole vineyard for Senses that sits along the western fence to Charles Heintz at the edge of Green Valley. The wine has a medium red hue and is fresh and floral with the aromas of candied roses, pure red cherries, pure spice, and fresh pine. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with a kiss of sweet fruit, a silky texture, and a warmth on the finish. Aged for 10 months in 20-35% new French oak, it’s a very pretty wine to drink over the coming 10-15 years.
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James Suckling
An opulent wine with strawberries, pencil shavings and some burnt oranges on the nose. Full-bodied and layered, with beautiful fruit and a flavorful finish. Drink after 2027.
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Decanter
The original Senses estate vineyard is the Hillcrest Vineyard, planted in 1974 and then replated in 2005—the ripest of the vintage from Senses, aromas of Luxardo cherries and smashed strawberries on hot stone. The palate is fleshy and generous as strawberry flavours wrap around sweet florals accented by clove and smoked cinnamon spice.
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Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Noir Day One is redolent of crushed flowers, mint, iron, pine, rose petal and blood orange. Aromatic and light on its feet, with lovely translucence, the Day One is a Pinot that emphasizes nuance more than power. In 2022, it is impeccably rendered.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Day One unfurls slowly on the nose to reveal scents of wild berry fruit, damp earth, savory herbs and cola. The medium-bodied palate offers underlying, layered flavors structured by juicy acidity and soft, silky tannins, and it has a long, lingering finish. It will benefit from a couple hours in a decanter.
Rating: 92+ -
Wine Spectator
There's bouncy energy to this red's mix of loganberry, pomegranate and black cherry fruit, with light bramble, anise and savory notes showing up on the finish. Just a touch shy on midpalate depth but still plenty enjoyable.
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.