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Cristaldi Scores

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2023

Bob Cabral Wines

cuvee Troubadour Pinot Noir

This wine carries the energy and finesse of the 2023 vintage. Bright and expressive with a coiled-up sense of energy. Pure black cherry and blackberry fruit are dusted with cocoa powder. Wound up, exuberant, and in need of some time in the bottle for the tannin to fully knit together. So, best to pop corks after 2027 when the wine exhibits its more unctuous self. Vineyard sources include: Kanzler, Schell Estate, Little Boot, and Heintz. Roughly one-third is whole-cluster fermented with native yeast in open-top tanks, aged for 16 months in fine French oak. ($125) 14.2% alcohol.

2023

CHEV

Chardonnay (Russian River Valley)

“We’re aiming for a Montrachet or Meursault style,” says Michael Browne—and this gets remarkably close. It’s electric on the palate, driven by terrific salinity and a fantastic, saline-acid grip. Lemony brightness cuts through layers of crushed Marcona almonds, green apple, and crunchy pear. There’s wonderful weight and richness, yet it stays precise, focused, and energetic throughout—totally vibrant and full of tension. That juicy acidity settles on the palate the way a good Montrachet does, but with its own lively edge. Wente clone; 12 months in concrete followed by 3 months in stainless steel, then 15 months in 38% new French oak barrels.

2023

CHEV

Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

Hitting all the classic Russian River Valley markers, this opens with a deep baseline of dark berry fruit, cola spices, cocoa powder, and blood-orange richness. There’s wonderful freshness throughout, with juicy dark berry flavors and fine cedarwood spice. Crisp, crunchy red berry notes layer seamlessly with clove and warm baking spices. This is Michael Browne’s 29th vintage, and it’s one you’ll want to hold and revisit many times over. Clones: Pommard, 667, 777, 828, 115, Mt. Eden, 23, and Swan. Aged 15 months in 45% new French oak, 18% once-used French oak, and 33% neutral French oak.

2023

CIRQ Estate

Pinot Noir

Michael Browne’s 2023 CIRQ is absolute dynamite. It’s super complex and ultra-delicious—about as satisfying as watching your kid’s soccer team crush the other side in penalty kicks to win the championship. It’s as electric as the first time you rode in someone’s Aston Martin—and as enviable as you felt toward the owner. If you own the Aston Martin, this wine deserves a permanent spot in the glove compartment. If you drive a Honda Insight Hybrid like me (my first car after leaving NYC, still going strong), you need this wine to remind you of the better things in life. Now, onto the wine: 2023 is a sleeper vintage. This is Sonoma perfection for Michael Browne—his ripe, lusher, full-flavored, fruit-forward style, but with the structure to age gracefully for years. It’s a high-wire act, balancing fabulously ripe, crunchy red berry fruit and spice with elegant cedarwood notes and a pine-forest freshness that glides across the palate like perfectly smooth wet slate. Coiled, energetic, and full of tension, it delivers gorgeous, pure red and black fruit character with plenty of structure to go the distance.

2023

Convene

Convene Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Dan Kosta describes what he loves about Russian River Valley Pinot Noir as its unmistakable typicity. “If I like raspberry and baking spice, that’s great,” he says, “but I don’t want raspberry jam.” Warmer vineyard sites can push the wines in that direction, so his aim is to capture the essence of RRV fruit without excessive extraction. In 2023, this Russian River Valley Pinot Noir achieves that balance beautifully. It’s an exquisite wine with rich notes of baking spice, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla bean, grounded by wonderfully aromatic bay laurel that adds a savory layer. Full and rounded on the palate, it’s framed by firm, apple-skin tannins that lend a gentle grip, yet the wine remains fruit-driven, carrying that classic RRV baking spice character from start to finish.

2023

Croix Estate

12 Rows Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay

Kirk Venge started working with Kent Ritchie in 2016. The site is composed of volcanic and Goldridge soils, and Kirk tells me Kent believes the volcanic striations are what make it unique. It sits farther from the coast, so there’s less of the ancient ocean-bed sediment you find in other pockets of the region. The vines are now a couple of decades old, and there’s a lovely balance in both aromatics and flavor — thanks in part to the “hens and chicks” berries (large and small berries together), which bring higher-toned lift balanced by richer skin-tannin texture. The result is a seamless, complete expression of Chardonnay with bright, pure fruit and a smooth, mouthcoating, velvety profile. It’s simply delicious. You don’t have to think about this wine; you just drink it. So make sure you have plenty on hand. All night-picked, whole-cluster pressed, given a two-day settle, then treated with a small sulfur adjustment before native-yeast fermentation. Some lots underwent native malolactic fermentation. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and tapers off as the wines age in roughly 40% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

2023

Croix Estate

1904 Estate Zinfandel

Sourced entirely from the property surrounding the winery, these vines were planted by Swiss-Italian farmers in 1904. In addition to Zinfandel, there’s Alicante Bouschet and Petite Sirah (the latter planted around 2018). Venge’s team farms the heck out of this site to suppress the wild yields Zinfandel naturally wants to give. Farming is organic. The wine is incredibly dark-fruited and sweet-spiced, with dried strawberry, layers of fruit leather, and warm sweet spices enhanced by the one-third American oak aging. Vanilla and chocolate notes weave through the palate, joined by more Asian-spice complexity. The finish is long and fruit-driven, supported by velvety tannins.

2023

Croix Estate

5-Wells Vineyard Pinot Noir

From the 5 Wells Vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills, this Pinot Noir is entirely Pommard clone and fermented with native yeast. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and gradually tapers off, after which the wine is racked into roughly 35–45% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. It’s bursting with Asian spices, black cherry, blackberry, and dried strawberry. There’s a bright, ripe fruit sweetness woven through the palate, along with black tea notes, tangerine peel, and a brown-sugar–maple-syrup richness. Excellent, balanced tension carries into a long, lingering, umami-driven finish with plenty of deep-fruited fig paste concentration on the full-bodied close.

2023

Croix Estate

Floodgate Pinot Noir

Floodgate is the entry-level Pinot, sourced from several sites, including Starscape Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. A portion of this vineyard floods each winter due to its proximity to the Russian River, and fruit from additional RRV sites rounds out the blend. The wine is impressively rich, with dark cherry fruit, brown baking spices, caramel richness, allspice, and clove. It shows fabulous fruit weight and concentration, balanced by a gorgeous pink–Himalayan–sea–salt note on the extended, medium-bodied finish and cocoa powder tannins. All night-picked with 5–20% whole cluster, given a two-day settle, then treated with a small sulfur adjustment before native-yeast fermentation. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and gradually tapers off, after which the wine is racked into roughly 35–45% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

2023

Croix Estate

Narrow Gauge Chardonnay

Such a bright, saline-driven wine, showing citrus fruit, brown baking spices, chalky minerality, and exotic stone-fruit tones, with lemon meringue and apricot on the rich, succulent palate. It finishes with medium-bodied richness and laser-focused acidity. A fantastic entry-level wine for Croix Estate. Mostly sourced from cool sites in the Russian River Valley, including parcels in Green Valley, Sebastopol Hills, and pockets of the Petaluma Gap. All night-picked, whole-cluster pressed, given a two-day settle, then treated with a small sulfur adjustment before native-yeast fermentation. Some lots underwent native malolactic fermentation. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and tapers off as the wines age in roughly 30% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

2023

Croix Estate

Old Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir

From Manzana Vineyard, planted to Clones 777 and 828 and blended together. The site sits off Occidental Road, a hillside parcel close to Kanzler. This is a very classy, bright, crunchy, red-fruited Pinot with grapefruit zest and orange-peel essence on the fleshier mid-palate, yet it remains focused and precise throughout. There’s a lovely undercurrent of loamy earth and apple-skin tannins that tighten into a laser-focused finish. All night-picked with native-yeast fermentation. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and gradually tapers off, after which the wine is racked into roughly 35–45% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

2023

Croix Estate

Starlings Roost Morelli Vineyard Chardonnay

From Morelli Vineyard in the Green Valley of Occidental. Kirk Venge says they often use this wine as a back-blender for acidity because it naturally carries such high acid — and it shows. This is a high-acid, bright, crunchy wine with lemon-bright lift, super fragrant with a crushed–sea-salt character, honeycomb, and pressed white flowers. Orchard and stone fruit come through ripe and juicy, with crunchy candied ginger on the lifted, bright finish. Super electric. That salted lemon-peel note brings an umami richness that never turns cloying. All night-picked, whole-cluster pressed, given a two-day settle, then treated with a small sulfur adjustment before native-yeast fermentation. Some lots underwent native malolactic fermentation. Bâtonnage starts with more frequent stirring and tapers off as the wines age in roughly 30% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

2023

Croix Estate

West Pyramid Block Pinot Noir

Sourced from Bucher Vineyard, planted on river-valley gravels with pockets of volcanic material and shale — not classic coastal Goldridge. The site spans 38 acres just outside Healdsburg on what was once a cattle ranch, near Rochioli and behind MacRostie. The wine is super perfumed, with rose petals, blackberry, and black cherry, and it carries a wonderfully rich, creamy profile of spiced plums, raspberry fruit, and fruit leather. Tobacco and tangerine-oil notes weave through the palate. It’s quite unctuous given the warmer site, yet still bright, lifted, and edged with excellent saline-driven acidity. All night-picked with 5–20% whole cluster, given a two-day settle, then treated with a small sulfur adjustment before native-yeast fermentation. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and gradually tapers off, after which the wine is racked into roughly 35–45% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

2023

Davis Bynum

River West Vineyard Chardonnay

Sourced from a vineyard on a low riverside bench, this white is big, but also refreshingly lemony. Everything feels wonderfully dialed up in this big-fruited Chardonnay. So it’s all on balance, from its warm and spicy aromatics to its rich peach flavors. – J.R.

2023

Domaine Della

Earl Stephens Vineyard Pinot Noir

Sourced from the Earl Stephens Vineyard in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley, this is a pretty, savory-driven Pinot Noir offering a mix of red cherry fruit, pine forest, crushed cocoa nibs, and elegant cedarwood. Medium-bodied, it’s balanced and finely textured, finishing with a tart cherry brightness. Founded in 2010 by David Warren Hejl, former CEO of Kosta Browne and Martinelli Winery & Vineyards, Domaine Della crafts limited-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from select Sonoma County vineyards.

2023

Domaine Della

Pinot Noir

This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is straightforward and juicy, offering a lively mix of red cherry and currant fruit layered with notes of spicy paprika and cedarwood. A subtle thread of saline minerality runs through the wine, balanced by blood-orange acidity and crisp, refreshing tannins. Founded in 2010 by David Warren Hejl, former CEO of Kosta Browne and Martinelli Winery & Vineyards, Domaine Della crafts limited-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from select Sonoma County vineyards.

2023

DuMOL

Chloe Chardonnay

If Wester Reach is DuMOL’s Montrachet, then The Chloe is its Chablis counterpart—subtler, more elegantly framed, and refined in its restraint. While the fruit spectrum still spans citrus to tropical, the acidity is softer, lending the wine a gentler, more graceful finish. This 100% Chardonnay is sourced from 54% Flora Marie and 46% DuMOL Bressay Estate vineyards. It was aged 11 months in 26% new French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Damy, followed by 6 months of settling in tank. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

DuMOL

Ryan Pinot Noir

Zippy, zesty, and zingy—this is an electrified Pinot Noir that crackles with energy. In total contrast to the richer Wester Reach bottling, it shows crunchy red fruits, bright red florals, and delicate Asian spice notes. Long, lean, and focused, it’s a natural partner for oysters Rockefeller or grilled branzino. This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from Dutton Ranch and was aged 15 months in 32% new French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Remond. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

DuMOL

Wester Reach Chardonnay

This Chardonnay bursts from the glass with a dazzling mix of citrus, orchard, and tropical fruit, accented by fine cedarwood and subtle vanilla. The medium-bodied palate is layered with flavors of lemon curd, lime zest, apricot, and pineapple, framed by delicate notes of pressed wildflowers. A firm spine of racy acidity provides balance and tension, supporting the wine’s generous fruit core. Sourced from 38% Flax Estate, 22% El Diablo, 16% Winners Circle, 12% Cornerstone, and 12% Charles Heintz, it was aged 11 months in 20% new French oak from Tonnelleries Remond, Chassin, and ACF, followed by 4 months of settling in tank before bottling. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker and Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

DuMOL

Wester Reach Pinot Noir

The DuMOL style demands attention—structured, firmly tannic, and crisp, these wines are built for long-term cellaring. But give them air—open in the morning and revisit in the evening—and their purity of fruit and quiet elegance reveal themselves, a reminder that these are not wines to simply pop and pour. After four hours open, this 100% Pinot Noir showed layers of dark fruit, forest pine, and black truffle charcuterie, nuanced by wet slate and robust, smoky sea-salt–dusted tannins. Smoked paprika carries through the lengthy, dynamic finish. Sourced from 28% Occidental Road, 26% Dutton Ranch, 16% Flax Estate, 16% DuMOL Estate, and 14% Placida, it was aged 15 months in 28% new French oak from Tonnelleries Ermitage and Remond. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

2023

Dutcher Crossing

Chenoweth Vineyard Chardonnay

A light, zesty, and tropical Chardonnay offering notes of quince, salted lemon peel, and candied pineapple. The creamy mid-palate adds texture and depth, leading to a stony, sea-salt–tinged finish. This 100% Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley was barrel-fermented with native yeast, underwent full malolactic fermentation, and aged 11 months in one one-year-old French oak barrel and one used French oak barrel. Debra Mathay purchased Dutcher Crossing in 2007, and it now produces more than thirty wines from Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, farming 75 acres of estate vineyards.

2023

Elaine Wines

Calypte Vineyard Chardonnay

Tasting the two Elaine Chardonnays from Calypte Vineyard provides a visual lesson in vintages—2022 was hot, 2023 was cool. The 2022 shows a deep golden hue, while the 2023 glows lemon-gold with hints of emerald shimmer. The 2023 vintage is leaner and brighter, driven by high-toned acidity that initially commands attention but soon reveals layers of lemon, lime, white florals, and tangerine oil beneath. Sourced from the winemaker’s estate vineyard, the Chardonnay was hand-harvested, barrel-fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged 17 months sur lie in 40% new French oak with bâtonnage before being bottled unfiltered. Established in 2017 by Elaine and Mark Sale, Elaine Wines produces fewer than 200 cases annually.

2023

En Garde

Passion de la Reine Pinot Noir

A barrel selection with 40% whole cluster. Aged for 14 months in 20% new French oak. An intriguing and exotic bouquet evokes tropical passion fruit, pomegranate, cranberry, and a touch of brown spice, all of which carry through to the light- to medium-bodied palate. More cherry and raspberry fruit emerge mid-palate, framed by sinewy tannins and a floral-driven finish.

2023

En Garde

Vines and Roses Pinot Noir

Vines and Roses comes from older vines along Olivet Road in Santa Rosa. Fermented with 33% whole clusters and aged for 14 months in 20% new Damy French oak barrels. It captures the generosity of the Russian River Valley with a lighter-toned red fruit profile and a fine dusting of pink Himalayan sea salt atop firm tannins that resolve with juicy richness and taut acid tension.

2023

Ferrari-Carano

Tré Terre Chardonnay

From sites along the banks of the Russian River in the Russian River Valley, this Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented with a mix of native and cultured yeasts. It undergoes 95% malolactic fermentation and is aged sur lie with stirring for nearly five months before continuing its élevage in Burgundian French oak for a total of 14 months. All that barrel work brings a gorgeous confectionary spice character—graham-cracker crust, blondie richness, and vanilla—mingling with delicate white-rose floral notes. The palate is full-bodied and richly fruited, loaded with ripe apple, poached pear, and vanilla-laced toasty oak. Quite delicious, distinctly fragrant for a Chardonnay, and impressively elegant for a wine with this level of richness.

2023

Gary Farrell Winery

Chardonnay

This 100% Chardonnay is blended from several vineyard sources that highlight the diversity and depth of the Russian River Valley. Aged for 10 months on primary lees in 30% new French oak. It isn’t shy with its oak use, but it’s beautifully integrated. The wine opens with aromas that transport you to a French bakery—lavish butter croissant and toasty brioche notes abound. Beneath that lies a wealth of citrus, lemon oil, lemon curd, and crème brûlée, all adding a sense of sweetness before finishing crisp, bone-dry, and marked by a welcome saline acid tension. Gary Farrell Winery has been a pioneer of the Russian River Valley wine scene for over 40 years.

2023

J. Bucher

Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noir

Made by Adam Lee of Siduri fame, this wine comes from Bucher Vineyard in the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley. It builds beautifully in the glass with vivid red fruits—raspberry and macerated cherry—alongside elegant cedarwood notes and smoky mineral nuances. Crunchy, apple-skin tannins provide attractive grip on the palate, revealing flashes of blood orange. A creamy mid-palate core makes the wine especially inviting. This is a complete, polished, and exceptionally well-built wine.

2023

Kobler Estate Winery

Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir

A half-and-half blend of Pommard and Clone 777 from Bacigalupi Vineyard. The nose leans fairly savory, with a heady dose of cedarwood spice and white pepper. There’s plenty of tannin grip and texture, with juicy fruit on the palate that — for me — could be a touch riper, but for those who prefer a leaner, more focused Pinot with cool wet–river–rock character, this will hit the spot.

2023

Kosta Browne

Bootlegger’s Hill Chardonnay

Sourced entirely from Hyde clone at the Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard, whole-cluster pressed and 100% barrel-fermented, then aged 11 months in 33% new French oak followed by 7 months in stainless steel before bottling. The nose is super rich, showing lemon curd, apple, lemon peel, candied ginger and sea-spray minerality, with a kiss of vanilla and an ultra-salty wet-slate character. Ginger spice and candied lemon peel carry onto the palate, which has excellent mid-weight richness and a long, spice-driven finish. Totally captivating and delicious—beautifully balanced.

2023

Kosta Browne

Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir

A captivating nose of ripe cherry fruit, sagebrush, rosemary, thyme and lifted rosemary florals, with a touch of cocoa powder for added depth. The palate delivers excellent mid-palate concentration, with powdery, supple tannins—like the jelly of a doughnut, no holes here—sumptuous and fully filled out. Fermented in a mix of stainless steel, concrete and neutral oak with 6% whole cluster, then aged 16 months in 37% new French oak.

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Vintage

Wine

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Color

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2022

Producer

Name

This 100% Chardonnay comes from two blocks within the Rocchioli-Allen Vineyard, an iconic site planted just south of the Rochioli Vineyard. Aged for 10 months in 35% new French oak. It’s a full-throttle Chardonnay brimming with toasty brioche and salted lemon peel, layered with apricot, white peach, and charred pineapple on the palate. For all its richness, the wine retains excellent, cooling acidity—a hallmark of this exceptional site. Gary Farrell Winery has been a pioneer of the Russian River Valley wine scene for over 40 years.

2022

Producer

Name

Harvested from a truly landmark vineyard on coveted Westside Road in the Russian River Valley, characterized by three distinct soil types. Fermented 100% destemmed in one-ton fermenters and punched down twice daily, then aged for 10 months in French oak (40% new). This is the most polished, expressive and composed wine in the Landmark portfolio—a great wine, worthy of a collector’s cellar, and an equally impressive bottle to pull for friends and family. Juicy upfront dark-berry fruit, clove and allspice lead the charge, while polished tannins lend a supple feel to this dynamic Pinot Noir. Layers of white pepper, tangerine and grapefruit zest, blood-orange acidity and flashy Asian spices energize the beautifully creamy yet bright, refreshing finish.

2022

Producer

Name

Located near the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the Lorenzo Vineyard is the coldest Chardonnay site from which Landmark sources fruit each vintage. Whole-cluster-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, the wine is then aged for 14 months in 100% French oak (35% new). It boasts an impressively bold nose of overripe citrus, toasted almonds and custard, while the palate tightens with citrus-driven, saline mineral tension. The finish is expressive, carrying toasty and nutty notes that linger with real authority.

2022

Producer

Name

A ripe, fully expressive Pinot Noir brimming with cherry fruit, layered baking spices and rich plum notes, supported by cola spice and a vibrant core of juicy acidity. The mid-palate is satiny, the finish pleasantly measured and clean. The Rayhill Vineyard lies in the newly recognized Sebastopol Hills district within the highly sought-after Russian River Valley appellation. Fermented 100% destemmed in small fermenters and punched down twice daily, then aged for 10 months in French oak (40% new).

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 1910 Block Zinfandel is sourced exclusively from the winery’s historic 1910 Block and aged for 20 months in French oak (15% once-used), honoring the profound depth and legacy of this vineyard. This is a heartier Zinfandel with high-toned acidity that edges toward volatility but remains intriguing, layered with bay laurel and sage. Full-bodied and creamy yet marked by crisp, tart acidity, it’s a wine worth exploring on its own—and even better when used to add lift and complexity to hearty stews or red wine sauces. It will be fascinating to see where this goes in 2023, a cooler growing season that proved far more favorable across the board. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 Estate Cuvée is a blend of 66% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah, and 9% Petite Sirah, aged for 20 months in French oak with 15% once-used barrels. Full-bodied and luscious, it brims with mulberry fruit, candied cherries, and blue fruit compote, laced with Christmas spice and lifted by purple floral aromatics. The wine evokes the memory of a grape-flavored lollipop I used to get as a kid while waiting for hot dogs from an old-fashioned truck in my hometown in upstate New York—a true nostalgic throwback. Juicy, balanced, and powerful, it just might send you back in time too. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

Limerick Lane’s 2022 Russian River Zinfandel—their flagship wine—is a blend of Limerick Lane Estate fruit (74%), Maffei (12%), Banfield (12%), and Monte Rosso (2%). Aged for 11 months in neutral French oak, it delivers a wonderfully fresh and captivating expression of Zinfandel in the challenging, warm 2022 growing season. Medium- to full-bodied, it exudes crunchy red fruit and a pretty floral bouquet of dusty rose, accented by fine cedarwood and supple tannins that create a velvety texture. The finish is zesty and acid-driven, leaving a lively impression. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

This is a meaty, savory-driven Pinot Noir with brawny tannins and crisp, apple-like acidity. Intriguing walnut husk notes, leather, and tobacco underscore a core of cherry and blackberry fruit, while hints of Earl Grey tea, dried flowers, and a touch of black truffle–charcuterie complexity add depth. The finish is taut and tangy.

2022

Producer

Name

Marchelle’s Estate Pinot Noir is a barrel selection from their Harmony Lane Vineyard, located about 3 kilometers east of Occidental near Harrison Grade Road. Planted to Dijon 777, 115, and 667 clones, the wine was aged for 30 months in 75% new French oak barrels, resulting in a bold, robust expression of Pinot Noir. Red cherry and plum fruit are laced with cedarwood spice and lifted by a high-toned slate-stone minerality. The mid-palate brings darker cherry notes and firm, structured tannins, while a touch of volatile acidity adds a glossy lift and tart edge to the finish. Future vintages might benefit from less time in oak to preserve freshness, but as it stands, this is a juicy, richly textured, and enticing wine. Founded in 2021, Marchelle is a collaboration between winemaker Greg La Follette and co-founder Kevin Lee (a Silicon Valley brand builder turned vintner), named in honor of their wives (Mara and Michelle).

2022

Producer

Name

Rich, potent, and alluring. Dark spices and even hints of iron mix with tobacco, truffle, blackberry, blue plum, and incense on the nose. The palate is remarkably consistent, adding blood orange acidity to the wild berry and plum flavors. Packs a punch, but lands all of its hits elegantly. – J.R.

2022

Producer

Name

From the Leras Family Vineyard, where vines have been rooted since the 1980s, this Pinot Noir is a blend of Pommard, Beringer Heritage, 115, 667, and 777 clones, aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. It’s a ripe, expressive wine, showing cherry compote, espresso, and toffee nuances alongside a touch of bay leaf. Tart acidity and firm tannins frame the palate, with a slightly drying finish that makes it a perfect match for food—spicy braised pork tacos would be ideal. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.

2022

Producer

Name

The wines from Papapietro are deceptively light in appearance—almost tawny-orange in the glass—yet deeply flavorful and complex. This Pinot Noir is loaded with ripe red cherry fruit layered with notes of black tea, bay laurel, bay leaf, and underbrush, creating sumptuous depth and remarkable complexity for such a young wine. It’s thoroughly enjoyable to drink and begs to be paired with a long, indulgent meal. Sourced from Peters Vineyard west of Sebastopol, it’s made from Pommard, 115, and 777 clones and aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.

2022

Producer

Name

This single-clone Pinot Noir comes from the Leras, Bucher, and Peters vineyards in the Russian River Valley and was aged for 11 months in 80% new French oak. Light ruby with orange hues in the glass, it offers fragrant aromas of red cherry, Earl Grey tea, and a spicy, woody note that carries through on the medium-bodied palate. Tart cherry fruit, incense, and earth define the finish. It’s a beautifully structured wine that could almost be mistaken for a young Burgundy from Chambertin—*almost*—but its vibrant California character shines through. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.

2022

Producer

Name

A generous Zinfandel with bright red berry fruit, dusty rose petal, and vanilla notes wrapped in creamy oak spice. The palate is soft and inviting, with fine-grained tannins that build gracefully into a brown-spiced finish. The historic eight-acre Giovanetti Vineyard, planted to Zinfandel and mixed blacks in 1910, produces one of the winery’s most distinctive small-production wines—an expressive nod to Sonoma County’s old-vine heritage and its enduring grower relationships. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been in operation for more than five decades, now farming over 400 acres of estate vineyards.

2022

Producer

Name

Dustin Valette has known Michael Browne since his days at John Ash & Co., and when they launched this project it became a genuinely special collaboration for the two of them. This is the first wine they’ve made together. The Pinot Noir is supple, round, and sumptuous, with wonderfully plump tannins and smooth, silky mixed berry fruit, layered with fragrant cocoa powder, dried violets, and rose petals. A rich saline minerality emerges on the medium-bodied finish and seems to linger effortlessly. The intensity of the wine is very much Michael Browne in character, yet it retains admirable energy and drive.

2022

Producer

Name

Entirely from Bush Crispo, crafted by Bob Cabral. Crushed cherry and cherry compote lead the way, followed by unsweetened chocolate and darker forest floor notes, with nuances of crushed cocoa nibs. The palate is intense, showing Rooibos tea notes and an almost meaty, iron-like mineral character, supported by integrated cedarwood and a spicy white pepper lift from some whole-cluster inclusion. Serve this with steak au poivre.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2022

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Still Wine

$$

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2022

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2022

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2022

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2022

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2022

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2022

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2022

2022 Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Papapietro Perry Leras Family Vineyards Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Papapietro Perry Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Papapietro Perry Pommard Clones Pinot Noir

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$$

2022

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2022

2022 Valette Browne Pinot Noir by Michael Browne

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Valette Bush Crispo Vineyard Pinot Noir by Bob Cabral

Still Wine

$

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