Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Barrel aging in 50% new French oak for 16 months is evident on the nose in this wine, giving it a reduced quality. But with enough time and air it begins to unveil thickets of brambly red and black berry, with a wild raspberry compote component that's quite stunning. Cardamom and pine accent the rest of the palate, which is textured and complex. Drink now through 2023. Cellar Selection.
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Wine Spectator
Exhibits a graceful mix of plum, cherry, pennyroyal and light oak flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins. Ends with a subtle blend of fruit and underbrush.
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.