Sign In/Subscribe

Cristaldi Scores

Producer
Producer
More
Country
Country
More
Vintage
Vintage
More

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2023

Panther Ridge

Pinot Noir

Panther Ridge’s 100% Pinot Noir is made from Certified Organic grapes (115 and Calera clones) farmed biodynamically, fermented with native yeasts, and aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. It’s a highly drinkable yet finely structured Pinot Noir, brimming with cherry fruit, elegant cedarwood, and brown baking spices. Firm tannins have the kind of grip you get after biting into a crunchy red apple, leading to a finish layered with smoky clove and earthy minerality. Promise me that when you pour this wine for friends and family, you’ll quote the movie Anchorman: “It’s made from real bits of panther, so you know it’s good.” Panther Ridge Vineyard sits on a seven-acre ridge on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap. Most of their fruit is sold to boutique wineries, with a small quantity of wine made under their own Panther Ridge label in collaboration with winemaker Adrian Manspeaker (of Joseph Jewell Wines).

2023

Panther Ridge

Reserve Pinot Noir

This 100% Pinot Noir is made from Certified Organic grapes (Calera clone) farmed biodynamically, fermented with natural yeasts, and aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. In the same pocket as the non-reserve Pinot Noir, this Reserve bottling is bolder, with darker cherry and blackberry fruit and more pronounced, grippy tannins that lend a chewy texture. Smoky clove and zesty mineral notes add nuance, but this is no Pinot for the faint of heart—it’s muscular, brawny, and unapologetically bold. When you pour it for friends and family, be sure to quote the movie Anchorman: “It’s made from real bits of panther, so you know it’s good.” Panther Ridge Vineyard sits on a seven-acre ridge on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap. Most of their fruit is sold to boutique wineries, with a small quantity of wine made under their own Panther Ridge label in collaboration with winemaker Adrian Manspeaker (of Joseph Jewell Wines).

2023

Panther Ridge

The Cub Pinot Noir

The was my favorite of the Panther Ridge wines I tasted during a day spent tasting Sonoma wines with the Sonoma County Vintners. It’s a captivating Pinot Noir—and after sampling nearly 200 wines over a few days, it stood out for its bright cherry fruit, seamlessly integrated cherrywood nuances, vanilla-amberwood incense, and soft, supple tannins balanced by graceful, well-woven acidity. Complex yet effortless to drink, it’s both refined and delicious. This 100% Pinot Noir is made from Certified Organic grapes (115 clone) farmed biodynamically, fermented with natural yeasts, and aged for 16 months in neutral French oak before being bottled unfiltered. Panther Ridge Vineyard sits on a seven-acre ridge on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap. Most of their fruit is sold to boutique wineries, with a small quantity of wine made under their own Panther Ridge label in collaboration with winemaker Adrian Manspeaker (of Joseph Jewell Wines).

2023

Paradise Springs Winery

Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard Pinot Noir

Sourced from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard—owned by Dave Phinney of Orin Swift fame—this single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Paradise Springs delivers a bold, assertive expression of the site. Bright and tart red fruit leads the way, but it’s the structure that steals the show: robust, powerful tannins grip the palate with authority, finishing bone dry and streaked with piercing, acid-driven brightness.

2023

Presqu'ile Winery

Pinot Noir

This Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir from Presqu’ile is a beautifully perfumed, spice-driven wine that balances energy with elegance. The nose is alive with soaring spice—Chinese five spice, sandalwood, and a touch of minty lift—while the palate brims with crunchy red cherry, tangy blood orange, and fragrant clove. Medium-bodied and vibrant, it offers a supple, seamless mid-palate framed by saline minerality and a long, textured finish laced with wet slate. Aged 11 months in a combination of neutral French oak and stainless steel, the wine showcases its purity and freshness with ease. Grapes are sourced from the estate vineyards as well as select sites in Santa Maria and Los Alamos. Winemaker is Dieter Cronje, who has guided the Presqu’ile program since its founding in 2008.

2023

Rhinory

Keras Collection Pinot Noir

The Keras Collection: Keras is the original Greek word for “horn,” and the root of the word for “rhino.” The wine is made by Catherine Marshall at a winery in Stellenbosch and imported to the U.S. by Rhinory in Fredericksburg, Texas. It offers lovely, pure tart red berry fruit, dried flowers, and a hint of incense. Medium-bodied and expressive on the palate, with zesty blood orange acid tension and fantastic grippy tannins that are lithe and well-integrated. The finish shows a salty mineral character that keeps you coming back for more—and makes this a perfect pairing for mushroom risotto.

2023

Samsara

Rancho La Vina Pinot Noir

Just nine barrels were produced of this expressive and captivating Pinot Noir, sourced from Rancho La Viña Vineyard. Native yeast fermentation with 100% whole clusters and extended barrel aging lend the wine remarkable complexity and aromatic lift. Black cherry fruit leaps from the glass, laced with incense, smoked paprika, and exotic spice. Finely layered apple-skin tannins provide excellent grip and texture across the mid-palate, while the dark cherry and spice notes carry through an everlasting, savory finish.

2023

Sandhi

Jamala Canyon Ranch Pinot Noir White Buffalo Land Trust

From Sashi Moorman (CEO at Povignage and managing partner for Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi Wines, and Evening Lands), comes this striking wine. Just 12 barrels were produced from regeneratively farmed vines nestled in a patch of oak woodland between Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean, called the Jalama Canyon Ranch, owned by the White Buffalo Land Trust. This marks the third vintage of this bottling, and my first taste confirms what I suspected: if Moorman is behind it, I don’t just want a glass—I want most of the bottle. Tart, ripe, and expressive red berry fruit mingles with vivid white pepper spice and rich cherry pit character, all growing more intense and savory on the medium-bodied palate. Super fine, firm, mineral-rich tannins form a perfect foundation, supporting dusty salinity and waves of juicy, crunchy red berries and orchard fruit—like biting into a tart, crisp red apple or freshly picked raspberry. It’s layered with chalky white pepper and finishing with vibrant tension. Intriguing and complex. The proceeds of this wine go back to the White Buffalo Land Trust, which is focuses on “the principles of regenerative agriculture, we are developing systems that support biodiversity, water resources, soil and human health while enhancing ecosystem services,” according to its website.

2023

Sean Minor

Invited Series Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard Pinot Noir

Sourced from the Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard in the northern part of the Petaluma Gap, this Pinot Noir is more refined than the straight Sonoma Coast bottling—elegant and layered with red-toned fruits, brown baking spice, grapefruit zest, and a lifted orange blossom florality. Medium-bodied on entry, it shows sinewy fine tannins, cool wet rock minerality, and fine-boned acid tension. The Roberts Road fruit comes from two rows of Dijon 777 and two rows of Pommard clone, fermented in a four-ton open-top stainless steel tank with twice-daily punch-downs for cap management, then pressed to 100% French medium-toast oak barrels (30% new) for 10 months of aging. A balanced and well-integrated expression of Pinot Noir. Sean Minor Wines was founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Sean and Nicole Minor, and is still family-owned and operated. In 2023, their daughter, Elle Minor, joined the team as winemaker. Wines are made from a combination of estate fruit and fruit purchased from sustainably farmed sources throughout California.

2023

Sean Minor

Signature Series Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir hails from select Sonoma Carneros sites and was fermented in open-top stainless steel tanks before being pressed into French oak barrels—a mix of toast levels—where it completed malolactic fermentation and aged for 10 months, 20% new. It’s a soft, seductive, and full-bodied Pinot Noir with creamy dark cherry fruit, spiced plum, clove, and wet slate notes. Lengthy and fruit-driven on the finish. Sean Minor Wines was founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Sean and Nicole Minor, and is still family-owned and operated. In 2023, their daughter, Elle Minor, joined the team as winemaker. Wines are made from a combination of estate fruit and fruit purchased from sustainably farmed sources throughout California.

2023

Slouch Hat Wines

Pinot Noir Fall Out

A fantastically rich, exuberant, and silky Pinot Noir bursting with red cherry fruit, smoky clove, and allspice, with a hint of espresso bean. Supple, soft, and plump tannins glide into a warm, spiced finish redolent of toasty cedarwood and salted milk chocolate dusted with cinnamon.

2023

Sojourn Cellars

Pinot Noir

Sourced from eight distinct vineyards across the expansive Sonoma Coast—from Annapolis in the north to Occidental in the west and down to the southern tip of the Petaluma Gap—this Pinot Noir includes fruit from standout sites such as Gap’s Crown, Sangiacomo, Walala, and Dorothy Cameron Vineyards. A blend of clones 115, 828, 667, Pommard, and Swan, the grapes were destemmed, fermented in open-top tanks, and aged in 50% new French oak. The result is a spectacular Pinot Noir, richly endowed with bold, juicy dark cherry, plum, and blackberry fruit accented by paprika spice on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied and boldly tannic, it reveals layers of clove, allspice, blood orange, and toasty cedarwood, culminating in a dark, muscular, and impressively structured finish. Founded in 2001 by two friends with a common love of Burgundy wines, Sojourn specializes in hand-crafted Pinot Noir, while also producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rosé and Sparkling wines. Winemaking duties are headed by Erich Bradley.

2023

Sojourn Cellars

Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is a blend of several lots sourced from four prominent vineyards within the Petaluma Gap AVA—Gap’s Crown, Sangiacomo, and younger blocks from Nightwing and Ueberroth Vineyards. These sites benefit from cool temperatures, foggy mornings, and windy afternoons, and that coastal influence is reflected in the wine’s character. It opens with cool blue fruit, crunchy cherry, and raspberry, accented by smoky cherrywood, clove, and loamy earth. Medium-bodied with crisp tannins and blood orange acidity, it leans into a tart, citrus-driven profile, finishing long with crushed cacao nib nuances and vibrant freshness.Founded in 2001 by two friends with a common love of Burgundy wines, Sojourn specializes in hand-crafted Pinot Noir, while also producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rosé and Sparkling wines. Winemaking duties are headed by Erich Bradley.

2023

Sojourn Cellars

Reuling Vineyard Pinot Noir

The most polished of the Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noirs I tasted in October 2025, this is a powerful yet graceful expression of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Ripe cherry, juicy cranberry, and orange-citrus fruit form the core, layered with exotic Asian spices and fine-grained, beautifully polished tannins. Crisp acidity drives the wine toward a spicy finish laced with smoked paprika and clove. It’s complex, intriguing, and downright irresistible—the kind of wine you want to crush at the end of the night. Planted in 2000 under the direction of Mark Aubert and Peter Michael Winery, there are three Pinot clones used: Calera and two distinct “suitcase” selections from the Vosne-Romanée region of Burgundy. Take from that what you will—it’s unquestionably a stellar expression of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Founded in 2001 by two friends with a common love of Burgundy wines, Sojourn specializes in hand-crafted Pinot Noir, while also producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rosé and Sparkling wines. Winemaking duties are headed by Erich Bradley.

2023

Sojourn Cellars

Riddle Vineyard Pinot Noir

Riddle Vineyard lies in the Green Valley region within the Sonoma Coast AVA, near the town of Occidental. Perched on a ridgeline, the site overlooks many of the region’s most iconic vineyards. Planted in 2008 at high density on Goldridge soils, the grapes are destemmed, fermented in open-top tanks, and aged in 50% new French oak. The resulting wine is boldly expressive, sitting on the darker end of the red-fruited spectrum—dried cherry and rose petal mingle with bouquet garni, brown baking spices, and clove. It builds in intensity and creamy richness through the finish. Founded in 2001 by two friends with a common love of Burgundy wines, Sojourn specializes in hand-crafted Pinot Noir, while also producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rosé and Sparkling wines. Winemaking duties are headed by Erich Bradley.

2023

Sojourn Cellars

Wohler Vineyard Pinot Noir

Wohler Vineyard in Forestville sources this red, a site that sits in the heart of Russian River Valley, within sight of the Russian River and the historic Wohler Bridge. Blocks of clones 667 and 828 occupy the highest, best-draining parts of the property, while the Wädenswil 2A clone is planted in lower sections where the soils contain more clay. The fruit was entirely destemmed, native fermented in open-top tanks, and aged in 50% new French oak. This is classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir—full-bodied and ripe-fruited, layering cherry, fig, and plum with bay laurel and mint, a pop of dark chocolate, and cola spice. A creamy core drives the wine toward a zesty, energetic finish. Founded in 2001 by two friends with a common love of Burgundy wines, Sojourn specializes in hand-crafted Pinot Noir, while also producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rosé and Sparkling wines. Winemaking duties are headed by Erich Bradley.

2023

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

Pinot Noir

Sourced from the cooler parts of Sonoma County, including Carneros and the Russian River Valley, the lots for this Pinot Noir were fermented separately after a 5- to 10-day cold soak, then transferred to French oak barrels for natural malolactic fermentation and aging before bottling. The resulting wine is stylish, well-crafted, and packed with flavor—red cherry, spiced plum, clove, and allspice—wrapped around a creamy core that holds firm to crisp tannins, building toward a long, satisfying finish. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been in operation for more than five decades, now farming over 400 acres of estate vineyards.

2023

Table Rock Vienyard

Estate Pinot Noir Rosé

This rosé has evolved from bright, ripe fruit into a more savory expression, offering red cherry nuances layered with toasty oak, smoked paprika, and charcuterie. On the palate, it delivers notes of crispy, flaky almond croissant and cherry jam. Serve well chilled and enjoy now.

2023

Table Rock Vienyard

White Pinot Noir

From the north end of the Rogue Valley, this White Pinot Noir from Table Rock Vineyard is an intriguing take on the variety. A subtle kiss of oak on the nose mingles with fresh cherry and wood smoke. The palate is clean and focused, featuring a juicy core of blood orange and pear fruit with a tingly spine of acidity. Light and easygoing, it’s a fantastic alternative to reds alongside smoked brisket, braised meats, or chipotle tacos.

2023

The Hilt

Bentrock Vineyard Pinot Noir

This is 75% Calera clone, though the 2024 blend will be 100%. Here, the Calera shines through with dark black cherry and rose petal—super pure, ripe, and crunchy, like a perfectly ripe farmers market cherry. Layers of brown baking spice add personality and warmth. The 2023 is one of the most approachable wines I’ve tasted from Matt Dees and his team in years—they’re truly nailing both the farming and the cellar protocols. It’s medium-bodied with impressive density and chunky tannins, and purity of fruit, bursting with complex notes of blood orange and grapefruit zest. There’s incredible fruit width and concentration, yet it remains light on its feet.

2023

The Hilt

Estate Pinot Noir

This is one of the most approachable Estate Pinot Noirs from The Hilt I’ve ever tasted—but make no mistake, it’s layered with incredible structure, electric acid tension, and a saline minerality that will carry it gracefully in the cellar for decades. The purity of red and blackberry fruit is striking—so vivid and clean, with the viscosity of beautifully mineral-rich spring water. Exotic spice notes shine throughout, with gorgeous Indian and Chinese five-spice aromas, while a hint of tangerine oil brings freshness and silkiness. Mouthwatering and wildly expressive, this wine is as seductive as it is age-worthy.

2023

The Hilt

Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir

Fragrant notes of sage, black pepper, nori, and rose petals rise from the glass, leading into a wine of superb density and remarkable fruit clarity. On the palate, it’s perfectly balanced, with the finest tannins—like moon dust laced with cocoa powder—framing a gorgeously textured red wine that sends you off daydreaming. Its ethereal presence and ephemeral textures captivate and draw you in, with bursts of grapefruit zest and blood orange acidity, all sprinkled with pink Himalayan sea salt. The finish goes on for days. I could go on about this wine—it’s perfect. It will resonate differently with each person who encounters it, but it is absolutely riveting, contemplative, and belongs in the pantheon of the world’s great wines.

2023

The Joy Fantastic

Estate Pinot Noir

This is a beautifully composed, acid-driven wine that’s as food-friendly as it is pretty. Bursting with bright, expressive, and crunchy red berry fruit, it’s seamlessly layered with integrated baking spices and lifted by vibrant energy. Sourced from a steep 5-acre hillside vineyard planted in 2014 by Amy Christine MW and Peter Hunken, the wine delivers electricity and elegance in equal measure. A perfect companion for a leisurely meal with friends—or a nostalgic binge of classic SNL episodes.

2023

Three Sticks Wines

Cuvée Eva Marie Pinot Noir

This is a wine you’ll have a hard time putting down. Layered and savory, it’s expressive with bright cherry fruit, apple blossom, rose petal, and mild Indian spice. Supple, round, and generous, it’s beautifully balanced by sinewy tannins that carry a subtle toasted almond character. The mid-palate shows pleasing density and ripe fruit weight, finishing strong with citrusy, tangerine-like acidity that hits the sweet spot—neither harsh nor crunchy. Simply a gorgeous wine. The Cuvée Eva Marie Pinot Noir is crafted from more than 60 lots each year, with the Three Sticks team selecting the very best barrels from Pinot Noir clones 115, 667, 828, 943, Calera, and Swan. The final blend is aged for 15 months in 100% French oak, 55% new, with just 212 cases produced. Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Proprietor Bill Price III (nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks”) owns six vineyards in Sonoma County (including three Heritage vineyards: Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala).

2023

Three Sticks Wines

Gap’s Crown Pinnacle Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

This is one masterful creation. We all know Gap’s Crown produces some of Sonoma’s most storied Pinot Noirs, but Three Sticks’ *Gap’s Pinnacle* takes it to another level entirely. It’s such a complete wine—seamless, seductive, and utterly captivating from bouquet to finish. Crafted from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the most coveted blocks of Gap’s Crown Vineyard, the blend includes clones 667, 828, 115, Swan, and 943, aged for 15 months in 100% French oak, 48% new. Just 300 cases were produced. The wine overflows with bright red cherry and blackberry fruit, a creamy, layered core of succulent richness, and supple yet firm tannins balanced by graceful acidity. The finish lingers with baking spice notes of white pepper, clove, and mild Indian spice. If you can get your hands on a bottle, consider yourself lucky. Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Proprietor Bill Price III (nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks”) owns six vineyards in Sonoma County (including three Heritage vineyards: Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala).

2023

Tongue Dancer Wines

Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir

This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from Lakeview Vineyard, planted entirely to the La Tâche clone, and aged for 17 months in French oak, 33% new. The clone brings a darker fruit profile, with notes of blackberry and fig underscored by earthy depth and a rose-petal-driven florality that’s truly captivating. Aromas of wild herbs and bouquet garni add further intrigue. The palate is full-bodied and velvety in texture, finishing with savory layers of tobacco, leather, and dried wild herbs. Yum. James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.

2023

Tongue Dancer Wines

Pinot de Ville Pratt Vineyard-Sexton Road Pinot Noir

After tasting the Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir made from the La Tâche clone, I was floored to find the same level of quality and pedigree in this 100% Pinot Noir sourced from Jim Pratt’s Sexton Road Vineyard. Composed of clones 777 and 114 and aged for 16 months sur lie in French oak (20% new), this wine is bold and dark-fruited, with layers of cherry and fig preserves framed by a deeply floral character and forest underbrush nuances that complement its generous core of ripe fruit. Firm tannins provide structure, while a tapestry of brown baking spices wraps around every inch of fruit, culminating in a smoky clove finish. The depth, texture, and balance here make for an utterly delectable Sonoma Pinot. Bravo! James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.

2023

Tongue Dancer Wines

Vineyard Eleven Pinot Noir

There’s nothing not to love about this 100% Pinot Noir sourced from Vineyard Eleven, planted entirely to the UV-VR clone and aged for 11 months sur lie in 100% French oak, 33% new. The wine is lively and bright, framed by crunchy apple-skin tannins and blood orange acidity, yet balanced by a creamy core. Aromas and flavors of cherry, applewood smoke, clove, and Earl Grey tea unfold with lavish complexity, finishing long with a subtle sprinkling of white pepper. James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.

2023

Vaughn Duffy Wines

Bacigalupi Vineyards Pinot Noir

Two blocks at Bacigalupi’s Frost Ranch comprise this 2023 Pinot Noir: the Wente selection, picked two weeks later than in 2022, and the Pommard block, picked in October. The wine aged ten months in French oak barrels (33% new). It’s dark-fruited, with the ripe cherry appeal so prevalent in wines from this stretch of the Russian River Valley, brightened by orange peel and grapefruit zest. Cola nut fills in the gaps, joined by the creamy richness of the fruit and muscular tannins that form a solid foundation for this delectable wine. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned winery based in Sonoma County producing about 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are crafted by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.

2023

Vaughn Duffy Wines

Pinot Noir

This 125-case cuvée is sourced from three vineyards spanning the interior Sonoma Coast—Baer, Bacigalupi, and Sangiacomo. Winemaker Matt Duffy selected barrels that expressed particularly coastal, savory tones inspired by the region’s cool-climate character. Some fermentations included whole clusters to add structure and spice. The result is a beautifully balanced Pinot Noir with layered aromatics, coastal energy, and textural depth. Aromas of black cherry and fig mingle with applewood smoke and apple blossom, enhanced by brown baking spices, clove, and stony minerality. Juicy and supple on the palate with zesty acidity, it’s a vibrant, finely tuned expression of site and season. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned winery based in Sonoma County, producing 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are made by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.

1 2 3 4 … 8 9 10

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2023

Producer

Name

This site sits at 1,000 feet of elevation, across from the Failla Vineyard, with vines rooted in Goldridge soils. The wine is incredibly beautiful — the aromatics are gorgeous, with dark blackberry and plum, plus flashes of blue fruit. It’s immensely generous. Made from two clones, Bacigalupi and the Hyde/Calera selection, it shows brilliant lift and clarity. On the palate, there’s great wet-slate minerality, fragrant cocoa-nib notes, and a real saline–acid freshness. All that ripe, juicy, complex fruit stains the palate and drives into a full-bodied finish with exacting, building tannins. Super intensity.

2023

Producer

Name

From Laceroni Vineyard—situated in the far-southwestern reaches of the Russian River Valley near Graton and spanning roughly 45 acres on classic, well-draining Goldridge sandy loam—comes a more structured and grippier expression of RRV Pinot Noir. The site’s softly rolling hills and coastal influence help produce fruit of refined ripeness: crisp, crunchy and beautifully poised. That energy carries straight onto the palate, where apple-skin tannins and notable textural grip give the wine tension and shape. Subtle brown baking spices and flinty wet-stone minerality add further dimension, supporting the elegant red-berry profile without overwhelming it. Quite a lovely wine with genuine cellar-worthy capability.

2023

Producer

Name

What a wonderfully pure Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, bursting with juicy, ripe red cherry, cranberry and strawberry fruit. It leans into cherry compote and warm baking spices, yet all that lush, creamy Russian River fruit is kept beautifully in check by cool acid tension. Textural grip—like biting into a ripe red apple and feeling the pull of the skin—adds dimension, underscored by slick espresso-bean oil, blood-orange or tangerine peel and a touch of smoky, flinty minerality. Super complex and inviting.

2023

Producer

Name

Anne Moller-Racke was the vineyard manager at Chateau Buena Vista from the early 1980s until 2001, when she helped establish Donum and remained there until 2019. During that time, she planted the Anne Katherina Vineyard in Carneros and, in 2013, began producing wine under her own label, Blue Farm. Total production is around 2,500 cases. The Sonoma Coast bottling is a blend of Anne’s vineyard sources and is poured mainly by the glass in local restaurants. She self-distributes in California. Once the fruit arrives at the winery, it’s sorted, given a light saignée, then cold-soaked for 3–5 days. As the must warms, fermentation kicks off in tank at cool temperatures for up to 19 days. Once dry, it’s pressed, and only the free run is used. The wine is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 17 months. This Pinot Noir is a bit coiled and very youthful, showing crunchy red berry fruit, chalky minerality, and a real earthiness—perhaps from the Wadenswil clone. Black tea–like tannins frame the palate as darker fruit emerges on the mid-palate and finish. There’s plenty of tension and freshness throughout.

2023

Producer

Name

Meanwhile, the Riverbed Estate wine — also in Carneros, near the Farmhouse Estate — boasts a similar wet-slate freshness, mineral drive, and red-berry lift, only here the textures are more supple, the generosity greater, and the tannins noticeably gentler. The dried-herb nuances give way to forest-floor and pine-forest tones, creating a quieter, earthier complexity. The finish caresses the mid-palate with a softer core, yet still carries a bright, spicy snap that keeps the wine lively and engaging.

2023

Producer

Name

Fresh and zesty, with a touch of grape-skin tannin and an intriguing, heady mix of white Rainier cherry, apricot and white peach, accented by subtle almond undertones. There’s also a gentle pop of tarragon or wild fennel and a super-salty core of crunchy orchard fruit and dried white-floral notes. Exotic, enticing and genuinely fun to drink. I’d pair this with a selection of farmers’ market hard cheeses and charcuterie.

2023

Producer

Name

From the Zio Tony Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. A combination of the Elite Clone selection and Clone 667 planted on Goldridge soils, which impart naturally low pH and help the wines retain their freshness. Anne Moller-Racke believes the Elite Clone, in particular, holds its natural acidity beautifully — and this wine proves the point. This is an acid-driven Pinot Noir with a sea-spray minerality on the nose, ripe red berry fruit, warm baking spices, and a touch of strawberry compote mingling with elegant cedarwood spice. Very dry, focused, and precise — not the typical lush RRV style, but a more linear, tension-filled expression.

2023

Producer

Name

This Pinot Noir is sourced from the biodynamically farmed and organically certified Panther Ridge Vineyard, perched at 900 feet on Sonoma Mountain. The grapes were fermented with 15% whole clusters and aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. The resulting wine shows excellent tension and energy, with a focused personality and subtle dark berry fruit framed by crunchy pomegranate-seed tannins. Notes of blood orange, allspice, and tangerine peel carry through a lively, gently spiced finish. Produced by a small, family-run winery with a mostly Pinot-driven portfolio made at their winery and tasting room in downtown Petaluma.

2023

Producer

Name

Fragrant cedarwood notes mingle with bright cherry fruit and a hint of wild herbs. Tart, racy acidity gives the wine lift, while firm, fine-grained tannins guide it to a bone-dry, focused finish. This Pinot Noir is crafted from a mix of vineyards spanning the slopes of Sonoma Mountain to the cool, rolling hills west of Petaluma. The grapes were fermented with 15% whole clusters and aged 10 months in 25% new French oak. Produced by a small, family-run winery with a mostly Pinot-driven portfolio made at their winery and tasting room in downtown Petaluma.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from the organically farmed Sweet Family Vineyard, planted in a protected bowl at 750 feet on the southern end of Sonoma Mountain, the grapes for this Pinot were fermented with 15% whole clusters and aged 10 months in neutral oak. Bright aromatics of candied red berries mingle with cherry wood and apple blossom, leading into a palate bursting with raspberry and strawberry coulis. The tannins are firm, crisp, and crunchy, building toward a dry, spicy finish. Vibrant and expressive, this Pinot Noir would pair beautifully with spiced Mexican dishes or hearty braised meats. Produced by a small, family-run winery with a mostly Pinot-driven portfolio made at their winery and tasting room in downtown Petaluma.

2023

Producer

Name

Bright-toned and red-fruited, this wine offers expressive cedarwood notes mingling with dried Mediterranean herbs, all building on the medium-bodied palate with fine-grained tannins. There’s good mid-palate density, but overall the wine remains light, bright, and juicy.

2023

Producer

Name

Spicy and mineral, with rhubarb, cherry, and raspberry aromas and flavors, topped off with an almost minty herbal spice. Nice balance of roundness and acidity here! – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

A dark and brooding Pinot with intense boysenberry, plum, and black raspberry fruits. Hints of leather, turned earth, and tobacco and tea leaves join the fray on the wonderful nose. It’s silky and substantial, but clearly has a mineral edge (and great structure) under all of that ripe palate fruitiness. – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

Hitting all the classic RRV 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

Producer

Name

From a high-elevation site with mixed aspects forming a bit of an amphitheater, rooted in diatomaceous earth and clay. Michael Browne loves the energy and movement of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir—“it travels the palate,” he says—and winemaker Cabell Coursey adds that “there’s a nervous energy to Sta. Rita Hills.” This wine has that in spades. It’s nervy, yet plush through the mid-palate, with crunchy, candied red berry fruit and warm baking spice. Juicy blood-orange acidity brings real tension and lift, carrying that signature nervy energy from start to finish. Clones: 667, 777, 115, Pommard. Aged 15 months in 41% new French oak, 17% once-used French oak, and 42% neutral French oak.

2023

Producer

Name

This is a wonderfully crunchy red- and black-fruited Pinot Noir. That texture carries onto the palate with a velvety, satiny quality, delivering a ripe, juicy, mineral-laced expression layered with dark forest pine, earth, and wet slate. The fruit is weighty yet pure—ripe, clean, and edged with crisp apple-skin tannins. Freshness drives the finish, accented by rich cedarwood and warm baking spices. Clones: Wadenswil, Pommard, 667. Aged 15 months in 38% new French oak, 28% once-used French oak, and 34% neutral French oak.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2023

2023 Blue Farm King Ridge Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Blue Farm Laceroni Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Blue Farm Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Blue Farm Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Blue Farm Riverbed Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Blue Farm White Pinot

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Blue Farm Zio Tony Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Brooks Note Winery Panther Ridge Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Brooks Note Winery Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Brooks Note Winery Sweet Family Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Cambria Estate Winery Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Cattleya Alma de Cattleya Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Cattleya Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 CHEV Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 CHEV Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 CHEV Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

MAILING LIST

The only email you want to open

  • Podcast Drops
  • New Reports
  • Latest Scores