92 POINTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST
Leading with aromas of fresh cranberry and cherry, this darkly fruited but lightly colored Pinot is savory and dramatic. The palate gives flavors of dried black cherry, shiitake, black tea and salted caramel. Drink with crispy roasted duck. —T.R.C.
92 POINTS - JAMES SUCKLING
Lovely, delicate and delicious. Lifted and delicately perfumed aromas of fresh strawberries, tea leaves and violets on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with a generous texture, finely integrated tannins and bright acidity complemented by notes of raspberries, cherries, cedar and forest floor. Drink or hold.
91 POINTS - WINE SPECTATOR "8 Excellent Sonoma Pinot Noirs"
Bright and racy-edged, offering blood orange and bitter cherry notes laced with sanguine, mineral and rose petal hints. Drink now through 2028. —J.M.
90 POINTS - JEB DUNNUCK
Bottled under screwcap and boasting a bright, youthful ruby color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is lifted and elegant with aromas of cranberry cocktail, cinnamon, rose petals, and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, it retains fantastic freshness in this sunny vintage, with zesty, fresh citrus, fine tannins, and a clean finish. It is a lovely offering to enjoy over the next 5-6 years.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Possessing shades ranging from garnet to ruby, the 2022 is a captivating coastal expression of Pinot Noir. Aromas of spiced plum, rhubarb, and red cherry mingle with savory notes of black tea and baking spices to form an enticing bouquet. It is bright and lively on the palate with flavors of juicy red cherry, macerated strawberry, and plum. This beauty Finishes with fresh acidity and soft, approachable tannins that give added complexity to the noticeable texture from aging in 100% French oak barrels.
Vineyard Notes
The challenging 2022 growing season ultimately produced outstanding wines. The warmer than usual winter season brought an early budbreak on February 18th followed by average spring temperatures which lead to early vine growth. Unfortunately, ill-timed rain during flowering reduced the 2022 crop. The warm, sunny days of summer above the Pacific coast provided ample time for fruit flavor development, while the chilly, ocean winds maintained fresh acidity. Harvest officially began on August 19th and ultimately, the yields were down considerably. 2022 is a memorable vintage with excellent fruit quality, and small, flavorful berries that possess exceptional concentration and complexity.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this Pinot Noir were picked during the cool early morning hours. After sorting, the fruit was cold soaked for several days. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks with some punch down maceration to achieve balanced extraction of flavor, color and aromatic compounds. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to barrel. 80% neutral and 20% new French oak was used for the aging of
this wine. Once in barrels, time allowed the wine to seamlessly integrate the natural acidity, rich flavors and soft tannins into a beautiful, perfumed Pinot Noir