Winemaker's Notes
Most of our Pinot Noirs are grown on Goldridge soils in the Green Valley and on the Sonoma Coast. This vineyard is a bit more to the East of the Laguna de Santa Rosa on a higher–clay and silt soil named Huichica. It is slower to warm up in the spring (which is good because being on the valley floor it is naturally more prone to spring frost) and is consequently harvested during the late part of the fall. Twelve years ago, I made a ‘Laguna’ bottling from similar soils, which was very popular. This is similar in expression to the Laguna bottling with its darker fruits and more substantial weight on the mouth. Its kind of like a Russian River Valley counterpart to the Sonoma Coast ‘Big Brother’ bottling we do. More of a masculine Pinot Noir, this is more of a lamb and mushroom wine than a salmon wine.
Judi Scherrer –
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – May 2013
Dark red. Seductive aromas of raspberry liqueur, Asian spices, potpourri and blood orange, with a hint of white pepper adding lift and vivacity. Dry, nervy and impressively precise, offering tangy red fruit and rose pastille flavors and showing no excess of fat. Seamless and alluringly sweet on the finish, which lingers and resonates with spice and floral notes. 92 points. Josh Raynolds
Judi Scherrer –
California Grapevine – September 2014
Medium-light to medium ruby color; attractive,rich, deep, red berry fruit aroma; medium to medium-full body; rich, textured, cherry and pomegranate flavors with good depth and balance; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Still youthful and shows richness and some elegance. Very highly recommended. My score 91, first place. Nick Ponomareff