Winemaker Notes
In this 2022 Pinot Noir, the terroir truly comes alive, imparting earth-driven notes enriched by blueberry tart and hints of vanilla custard. Dark chocolate s'more and cocoa powder dusting add complexity while the acidity lifts the palate. The purity of fruit shines through from the craftsmanship of intention, care, and unparalleled distinction.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
This wind tunnel of a vineyard-one of Sonoma Coast's most prestigious sites and a heritage property of the Price family-sees abundant fog within its rugged terrain. Cherry and sugar beet burst forth with a juicy flow. The velvety mouthfeel is entrancing, powering notes of chocolate and ripe plum amped by fine acidity
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Wine Enthusiast
Juicy cherry and pomegranate aromas dominate the nose of this Pinot, while the palate sings with darker black cherry, Darjeeling, cinnamon and licorice flavors. Neatly balanced tannin and acidity dance for a minute-plus on the finish, with echoes of balsamic, cedar and rose petals.
Editors' Choice -
Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard comes across as pretty understated in this vintage. Dark blue/purplish fruit, licorice, new leather and sweet spice notes all meld together in the glass. The 2022 is undeniably attractive, even if it doesn't have the textural breadth or resonance of the very best vintages.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A vast appellation covering Sonoma County’s Pacific coastline, the Sonoma Coast AVA runs all the way from the Mendocino County border, south to the San Pablo Bay. The region can actually be divided into two sections—the actual coastal vineyards, marked by marine soils, cool temperatures and saline ocean breezes—and the warmer, drier vineyards further inland, which are still heavily influenced by the Pacific but not quite with same intensity.
Contained within the appellation are the much smaller Fort Ross-Seaview and Petaluma Gap AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast is highly regarded for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, increasingly, cool-climate Syrah. The wines have high acidity, moderate alcohol, firm tannin, and balanced ripeness.