Winemaker's Notes
Our seventh vintage from this site near Annapolis in the Northwestern corner of the Sonoma Coast AVA, I have become very comfortable with this area’s idiosyncrasies. It goes from under-ripe to over-ripe in a heartbeat. This is unfortunate because it is a long drive to and from the site to determine its readiness for harvest. Happily, Kirk Lokka, the vineyard manager for this all these years and I understand each other and this site very well.
This wines’ signature is a sesame/mincemeat sort of spiciness. This vintage exhibits its typical, richer-bodied self with more dark fruit than red fruit on the mouth. Nonetheless, it still has a mouth-watering, upward trajectory on the finish. Strangely and consistently, it has a very low pH for the amount of total acidity it has which allows it to have great freshness without tasting really sour.
Judi Scherrer –
Vinous – February 2016
The 2012 Pinot Noir Big Brother emerges from a high elevation site in Annapolis. Ripe, racy and intense, the 2012 is endowed with good purity of flavors and overall depth. Black cherry, plum, tobacco, spice and new leather flesh out in a radiant Pinot Noir that reflects the warmer nature of this part of the appellation. 89 Points. Antonio Galloni