Winemaker Notes
Aromatics of black cherry, raspberry, and leather lead to a lush palate, characterized by ripe strawberry, soft tannins, and balanced acidity. Concentrated and flavorful with elegance and finesse, this wine is the perfect expression of the varietal.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Rich, deep and broad, this wine emphasizes fully ripened black-fruit flavors wrapped in velvety tannins and spiced with toasted oak, cinnamon, cloves and cedar. It is big and bold for a Pinot, laced with substantial tannins yet balanced by cherrylike acidity.
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Wine Spectator
Friendly and forward in feel, with a gush of kirsch and boysenberry compote flavors backed by licorice snap and iris accents. A little toast-reliant on the finish but shows generosity and energy. Drink now through 2031. 750 cases made.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2022 Stewart Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a soft-spoken and satisfying example of this Burgundian grape variety. Enjoy its aromas and flavors of fragrant spices, dried earthy notes, and red berries with Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Stir Fry). (Tasted: May 9, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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.