Winery - Sonoma Coast Vineyards
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A very interesting and complex Sauvignon Blanc that shows a Sancerre-like flinty minerality, along with a broad array of figs, melons, citrus and tropical fruits. There’s a smoky, honeyed edge that makes for true richness.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Tastes brittle and aloof in its youth, with a very dry mouthfeel dominated by acidity and tannins, although the texture is silky and smooth. You don’t want to open this too soon. Given the core of cherries and pomegranates, it should develop, but no guarantees. The Freestone area is very cool and its possibilities are unknown but promising.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dry and tart, this young Pinot is marked by the oak, which was 50% new. It’s hard to get beyond the caramelized wood, but underneath is an infusion of cherry and black raspberry jam. On the plus side is relatively low alcohol and vibrant crispness. Might develop, but it’s hard to tell.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An intriguing Pinot Noir that shows the possibilities of this cool-climate, southwestern Sonoma region. The wine has been well-oaked, but it’s powerful enough to carry that coating of caramel and char, with a massive palate explosion of puréed ripe cherries, red currants and sweet rhubarb pie. Delicious now with decanting, and should do interesting things over the next six years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A good Pinot that shows the qualities of the winery’s Freestone bottlings, without quite the same richness. The wine is dry and crisp in acidity and elegant, with flavors of cherry skins, pomegranates, cola and smoky oak. Fine now, with airing, and should develop for a few years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The vineyard was closely planted in 1999 to a mix of Dijon clones and cropped at one ton per acre. The result in 2004 is a bright, tightly focused wine, filled with red berry fruit and cedary notes from its 20 months in barrel. Drink 2009–2015.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Made from grapes grown close to the chilly Pacific, this is a wine with bright acidity and elegance. It’s got some size, too, but unlike many big, rich Pinots from warmer areas this one toes the line of balance like a pro. The cherry cola, raspberry, tea and gentle spice flavors are satisfying and complex. Best next year and through 2008.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is one tough wine. It’s all acidity, steel and minerals, and extreme dryness. with lots of new oak. The fruit veers toward toasted lemon zest. Winemaker Anthony Austin says he made this wine to age, which seems a safe bet. Best 2008–2010.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Very high alcohol has resulted in this dark, glyceriney wine being entirely dry, but also a little hot, and definitely heady. It’s powerfully rich in black currant flavors, with notes of dark chocolate, tamari, black licorice, blackstrap molasses and black pepper, and the tannins are very firm, but ripe and refined. Should age for a couple years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This super-ripe, oaky, leesy Chardonnay lacks subtlety, but packs plenty of power. It’s enormously forward in apricot and pineapple fruit, with the custard, buttered popcorn and caramel flavors that come from barrel fermentation. Finishes with a brown sugar sweetness.
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