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Color

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2023

MacLaren

Heather Pinot Noir

MacLaren’s Heather Pinot Noir comes from Zeka Vineyard in Bennett Valley, Sonoma County. The Pommard, Calera, and 667 clones were fermented with native yeast and aged for 12 months in 100% neutral French oak. The wine is captivating from the start, opening with candied red cherry before revealing briny salinity and savory charcuterie notes. Red florals, leather, vanilla, and strawberry compote add expressive layers on the palate, while the finish is lightly salty and spiced. Founded in 2007, MacLaren, a family-owned boutique winery, produces less than 1,500 cases per year. Winemaker Steve Law, inspired by his time in France, sources fruit from Russian River Valley and Bennett Valley vineyards.

2023

MacLaren

Russian River Pinot Noir

MacLaren’s Pinot Noir is sourced from three vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Predominantly Clone 667, blended with small amounts of Calera and Pommard, the wine was fermented with native yeast and aged for 12 months in 100% neutral French oak. It’s a textural wine, shifting from velvety to slightly granular, with notes of cherry cola, fine cedarwood, and redwood forest floor—loamy earth and red bark giving it a brighter kind of earthy complexity that will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s hiked through Marin County or Muir Woods. Founded in 2007, MacLaren, a family-owned boutique winery, produces less than 1,500 cases per year. Winemaker Steve Law, inspired by his time in France, sources fruit from Russian River Valley and Bennett Valley vineyards.

2023

Marine Layer Wines

Bohemian Vineyard Pinot Noir

Sourced from Bohemian Vineyard, a 7-acre Pinot Noir site in the Freestone of the Sonoma Coast, this vineyard is planted to a mix of Dijon clones in classic Goldridge soils and exposed to the full spectrum of cool-climate conditions the area is known for. The fruit is hand-picked at night and fermented with 20% whole cluster, followed by a cool native fermentation and 16 days on the skins. The wine is gravity-drained and lightly pressed, then aged for 11 months in 25% new French oak. In 2023, the wine is distinctly red-fruit driven, layered with savory spice and marked by beautiful linearity and focus. There’s a firm, tactile grip from the tannins—shaped by skins that contend with the site’s extreme cold and wind—alongside sumptuous earth notes, white truffle, and white pepper interlaced with crunchy red fruit. Bright acidity provides strong structural bones, while the tannins build with a delicate yet persistent intensity. Complex, heady, and deeply site-expressive.

2023

Marine Layer Wines

Dutton-Upp Road Vineyard Pinot Noir

Dutton-Upp Road Vineyard is a three-acre, southwest-facing hillside site in the heart of Green Valley, within the broader Dutton Ranch holdings. Rob Fischer holds an acreage contract here, allowing for close control over the farming of Clone 943. The clone tends to deliver a dark-fruited, juicy profile from very small berries, often with more chicks than hens, resulting in natural concentration. Whole cluster inclusion is pushed to upwards of 60% in this wine. In the glass, the wine is dynamically earthy, marked by damp forest floor and black truffle notes, framed by black tea–like tannins that bring bite and tension. Layers of black cherry, spiced plum, and brambly blackberry unfold alongside refined cedarwood, with a hint of redwood bark emerging on the long, lingering finish. Red-spice accents and vibrant red fruit carry through the close, giving the wine both power and precision.

2023

Marine Layer Wines

Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

Rob Fischer’s sourcing from Gap’s Crown Vineyard includes primarily mid-slope fruit, along with a smaller portion from near the top of the site, close to the crown. That upper-elevation fruit brings a distinct brightness that complements the more blue-fruited lushness of the mid-slope blocks. In 2023, the wine is very much a crowd-pleaser, anchored by a rich mid-palate and framed by elegant cedarwood spice from 30% new French oak. Unsweetened cocoa powder tannins give shape and texture, while the long, earthy finish reveals white pepper nuances and subtle smoked paprika notes. Velvety tannins build gracefully through the close, and a lift of florality adds freshness and balance throughout.

2023

Marine Layer Wines

Grand Vent Vineyard Pinot Noir

Grand Vent Vineyard lies about six miles west of the town of Petaluma, a cool, wind-swept site. That exposure brings a distinctive tannic grip to the wine. It builds steadily in the glass with smoky clove notes, cherry fruit, and blood orange, all melding seamlessly on the medium-bodied palate. Ultra-fine, velvety tannins support a very juicy mid-palate, carrying through to a long finish marked by wet-slate minerality and gently building tannin. The overall impression is one of generosity and freshness, underpinned by layered, finely tuned textural complexity.

2023

Marine Layer Wines

Lyra Pinot Noir

Lyra is the Sonoma Coast blend, built on Marine Layer fruit alongside select Dutton sites and Jentoff, a 16-acre vineyard west of the town of Occidental. The blend also includes fruit from Gap’s Crown Vineyard and Annapolis, with Uproad Vineyard contributing from the heart of Green Valley, rooted in Goldridge’s red-brown, fluffy soils. For Rob Fischer, Lyra is meant to be representative of vibrant coastal red fruit and lively acidity. Fermentations include 20–25% whole cluster, followed by ageing for 11 months in 22% new French oak. The wine leads with a stunning, heady burst of juicy red cherry, raspberry, and red floral notes, layered with orange peel, subtle hints of vanilla or strawberry panna cotta, and a touch of redwood bark and loamy earth. Bright and buoyant on the palate, it’s juicy and lifted, framed by fine-grained, cocoa-powder-like tannins. Brown baking spices, a touch of clove, and a hint of grapefruit zest carry through the long, expressive finish.

2023

Marine Layer Wines

River Camp Ridge Pinot Noir

River Camp Vineyard sits in Anderson Valley on the northern side of the Navarro River and is planted entirely to a single Pinot Noir selection, Clone 828. In the glass, the wine shows blue-black fruit, forest berry, and pine forest earth notes, layered with brown spice. The palate is juicy and generous, building through the mid-palate with white-pepper-dusted earth, crushed clove, and a supple richness that carries through the finish.

2023

Marine Layer Wines

Whistler Vineyard Pinot Noir

The Whistler Vineyard—a former Banshee site—sits above the fog line at roughly 800–1,000 feet in elevation. The soils are primarily Goldridge sandy loam with uplifted marine sediment. Berry size is small, with tight clusters from a mix of Swan, Pommard, and Dijon clones 667, 777, and 115, resulting in notable concentration and extract. Rob Fischer is particularly fond of incorporating some whole cluster here, which shows up as white pepper, clove, and subtle black tea aromatics. On the palate, the wine delivers loads of crunchy red fruit—strawberry, raspberry, and cherry—balanced by a strong earthy drive. There’s impressive mid-palate richness and an expansive, creamy texture, layered with savoury notes of chanterelle mushroom and white pepper. The finish is long and expressive, framed by apple-skin tannins that add grip and persistence without sacrificing energy or freshness.

2023

Melville

Estate Pinot Noir

This wine is a blend of fruit from all four of the estate’s ranches: the 40-acre East Side Vineyard, which surrounds the winery; the 40-acre West Side Vineyard, located about half a mile west; Rancho Nuevo, a 36-acre site to the southwest that follows the Santa Ynez River and benefits from cooler conditions; and La Chapelle, their newest planting with roughly 27 acres under vine. A total of 17 different Pinot Noir clones are represented in this blend. Fermentation includes 40% whole clusters in 1.5-ton open-top stainless steel vessels, with hand punchdowns performed twice daily. The wine is pressed to neutral barrels and aged for up to 11 months. Thanks to stem inclusion, the aromatics are fantastically expressive—incense, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cocoa nibs. The palate is medium-bodied with perfectly ripe, assertive tannins that grip all corners of the mouth before resolving into a fine, granular texture. Juicy, plump red berry fruit is tinged with spicy notes of sage and rhubarb, all supported by excellent length and vibrant tension.

2023

Melville

Estate Pinot Noir, Anna's Block

Anna’s Block Pinot Noir comes from the West Side Vineyard and is a combination of Clones 114 and 667, grown on the northern end of the site. The fruit was fermented in 1.5-ton open-top stainless steel bins with 67% whole cluster, then pressed to French oak barrels—roughly 10% new—and aged for up to 15 months. The nose is deeply intriguing: rose petal stems, dusty cherry, and crushed volcanic stone minerality lift from the glass, followed by incense and perfumed rose petals that carry through to the palate. Tart red cherry fruit layers into a juicy mid-palate richness, as this medium-bodied wine builds toward a long finish marked by tobacco-infused tannins and just a whisper of wood smoke. It’s layered, complex, and wildly distinct from Sandy’s Block on the estate—more brooding and muscular, yet still backed by vibrant acidity that makes it an ideal pairing for braised meats or rich mushroom dishes.

2023

Melville

Estate Pinot Noir, Block M

The Block M Pinot Noir comes from the West Side Vineyard, situated on the plateau that rises above The Terraces. It’s planted to a mix of Clones 115 and 114 on clay soils. The clusters here are small, the berries even smaller, with intensely thick skins—and because they receive direct sunlight, the stems ripen fully as well. The wine is fermented with 80% whole cluster in 1.5-ton open-top stainless steel bins, then aged for 15 months in neutral French oak. This is an aromatic wonder, with layers of incense, red berry fruit, rose stem, dried rose petal, and savory notes of dried sage and thyme. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers a dense core of ripe black cherry and spiced plum, along with Chinese five spice and coriander. The tannins are spicy, sinewy, and etched—wrapping around the palate before resolving into a finish marked by dark cocoa. It’s a Pinot Noir for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers—chewy, expressive, and deeply complex.

2023

Melville

Estate Pinot Noir, Sandy's Block

The Sandy’s Block Pinot Noir comes from the east side of the estate, surrounding the winery. Though elevation here is relatively low—around 150 feet—this block sits on the steepest portion of the site, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The soils are predominantly sandy and silty loam, and a mix of Pinot Noir clones is planted throughout the block. The fruit was night-harvested, followed by a 7-day cold soak in 1.5-ton open-top stainless steel fermenters. The wine was pressed to barrel and aged for 15 months in neutral oak, with about 10% new French oak included. It was made with 50% whole cluster. The aromatics are spicy and expressive—leading with incense and red cherry. On the palate, red fruit builds with apple-skin tannins and cherry pit notes, all framed by a bracing acid profile. There’s an energetic pomegranate seed character that drives the lengthy finish. This is definitely one of the most food-friendly wines in their lineup.

2023

Melville

Estate Pinot Noir, Terraces

The Terraces comes from vines planted on west-facing terraced hillsides, exposed to powerful Pacific winds and afternoon sun. The site transitions from sandy loam at the base to more clay-rich soils near the top. Fermentation took place in 1.5-ton open-top stainless steel bins with 67% whole cluster, followed by 15 months of aging in French oak barrels, about 10% of which were new. This wine opens with a host of rich mineral characteristics on the nose—dusty red cherry, blood orange, and a hint of saline. It’s a more powerful expression, with robust, chunky tannins framing a concentrated core. A saline-scented acidity—almost black sea salt in character—threads through the palate, adding lift and definition. Quite a wine you can chew on—ideal with a well-salted steak.

2023

Nid Tissé

Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir

From Radian Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara, the site is perched at 152 meters on dramatically steep slopes of clay loam with large deposits of diatomaceous earth, which drains exceptionally well — so well that the vines truly struggle, resulting in a fantastically concentrated yet immediately fresh wine. Native-fermented with 18% whole cluster, it was aged 10 months in 12% Burgundian French oak, and is a blend of Clones 115 and 777. There is plenty of wet-rock minerality alongside dark cherry and raspberry fruit, with clove spice and blood-orange notes. Pretty rose-petal tones and supple tannins frame a juicy, dark-fruited wine layered with more wet slate and mild Indian spices on the lasting finish. The wine is incredibly fresh and invigorating, with both tension and generosity.

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.

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

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2023

Producer

Name

This wild pét-nat has been thoughtfully disgorged—so it won’t erupt and ruin your dress, but it will give you a reason to jump up and down with excitement (just set the bottle down first before showing off your joie de vivre). The mousse is bright, airy, and creamy, delivering terrific texture along with red berry fruit, baking spices, and a savory wild herb finish. Bone dry, with great acid grip.

2023

Producer

Name

Little Boot Vineyard sits not far from Bootlegger’s Hill and spans about 7 acres. It’s also a source for Patz & Hall. Planted entirely to Calera Clone, the fruit is fermented in stainless steel, with some whole cluster, and aged 12 months in roughly 50% new French oak. The wine is super expressive, with crunchy red-berry fruit and vivid Chinese five-spice. Terrifically cool and precise, showing crunchy cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate-seed character alongside loamy earth notes and a graphite-like minerality on the zesty blood-orange finish.

2023

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

Calesa Vineyard, Clone 115 — a Petaluma Gap site perched on a high plateau with northwest-facing slopes and soils flecked with gravel and quartz. This Pinot shows lovely black-tea and white-pepper notes, cherry fruit, and smoky minerality, with a luscious core that’s deeply saline-driven. Sage, green tobacco, and clove add complexity, all wrapped in zesty mineral tension. Full-bodied and richly textured, with black-tea tones shaping the tannins and a lingering, layered finish.

2023

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

Sourced entirely from Clone 667 on a steep, north-facing hillside at Peake Ranch. Fermented with 20% whole clusters and aged 16 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. This is a wonderfully lush, dark-cherry-fruited Pinot Noir underscored by rich brown baking spices. The dark fruit and spice sit beautifully on the mid-palate, lifted by grapefruit peel, fine cedarwood accents, a touch of earth, and espresso bean on the finish. Totally crushable. Peake Ranch is also a fruit source for Migration and Cornerstone.

2023

Producer

Name

A lip-smacking, deeply flavorful Pinot Noir that builds beautifully in the glass with high-toned rose petal florals, ripe cherry, cherrywood smoke, and clove, all coming together seamlessly on a creamy palate. It finishes with a fine thread of cool wet slate and salinity, driven by vibrant tension and energy. Quite delicious. This 100% Pinot Noir is barrel-aged for 11 months in 30% new French oak and is primarily composed of Pommard and Wädenswil 2A clones. Owner and Winemaker Erik Miller founded Kokomo Winery in 2004 (named after his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana). Miller partnered with fourth generation grower Randy Peters to craft wines from the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys.

2023

Producer

Name

A powerhouse wine from a challenging Burgundy vintage. It shows tremendous concentration of red berry fruit alongside red earth, iron and loamy earth tones, with deep, woodsy spice. Perfumed rose-petal notes flood the mid-palate, while firm yet inviting apple-skin tannins frame the structure. The finish brings juicy richness and an elegant lift. Overall, this is a very charming wine and a lovely expression of Beaune Premier Cru—offering that upfront Kosta Browne–style generosity balanced by true Premier Cru tension.

2023

Producer

Name

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.

2023

Producer

Name

For readers familiar with the Three Sticks expression of Gap’s Crown, this bottling shows the other side of the flavor coin. It’s a more focused, tension-driven take on the site—less fleshy, more mineral-layered and crunchy-fruited, yet still thoroughly delicious. A creamy core remains, with panna cotta–like vanilla notes, but here it’s framed by harmonious wet-stone minerality and that signature redwood-grove and clove spice. It hits all the classic Gap’s Crown markers, but with restraint and precision. Really impressive—and quite fabulous.

2023

Producer

Name

This wine is framed by a beautifully balanced expression of fruit, spice and warmth. The mid-palate shows generous weight and plushness, enlivened by salty sea-spray notes and a wet-river-stone minerality. Hints of rose stem and rose petal lift the aromatics, while the palate offers cherry-pie spice and a touch of tension, feeling slightly coiled at this youthful stage. Excellent length, excellent tension—one to enjoy from 2027 onward.

2023

Producer

Name

One of the bolder, more concentrated wines in the 2023 lineup I tasted with Julien Howsepian in December 2025. It shows multidimensional acid tension that gives the wine excellent grip. Generous brown baking spices and darker fruit lend a muscular profile, while notes of dried rose petals and rosemary essence add aromatic lift. The tannins are polished and persistent on the finish.

2023

Producer

Name

Fermented in a mix of stainless steel, concrete and oak, then aged 17 months in 40% new French oak, a combination of wood cask, foudre and stainless steel, and blended just before bottling. This is a beautifully elegant wine with subtle brown spices and violets, showing pure cherry and strawberry fruit. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins, it supports all that ripe fruit, which turns darker-toned with an understated youthful poise. The length is tremendous, carrying brown baking-spice character along with candied ginger, smoked paprika and cocoa nibs on the finish.

2023

Producer

Name

A wonderful balance of power and elegance, showing savory notes of pine forest, saddle leather, black sea salt and redwood bark. Firm tannins and saline acidity frame the core, while violets, plum spice, vanilla and warm brown spices add lift and complexity. Rich conifer tones linger in the glass, joined by more leather and scorched earth. Pristine, expressive and power-driven.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced entirely from Pisoni Vineyard and fermented in stainless steel and concrete with 8% whole cluster, then aged 14 months in 38% new French oak. This 2023 release is an absolute powerhouse, bursting with blue-fruit intensity, blackberry and sagebrush notes, and velvety tannins dusted with cocoa powder. Loamy earth adds depth and grounding. The finish carries impressive length, layered with dried spice, mild Indian spices and a dash of black sea salt.

2023

Producer

Name

A robust, full-throttle wine with gorgeous complexity and excellent mineral tension. Elegant mixed-berry fruit comes together with scorched earth and graphite, all supported by firm, confident tannins and expressive saline-tinged acidity. Notes of tangerine peel and grapefruit emerge on the long, woodsy, earthy finish. It hits all the marks right out of the gate and is great fun to drink in its youth, yet it has the structure to age gracefully.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2023

2023 Idol Ridge Winery Local Culture Sparkling Pinot Noir Pét-Nat

Sparkling Wine

$

2023

2023 Innumero Little Boot Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 J. Bucher Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Jax Vineyards Calesa Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Kobler Estate Winery Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Koehler Winery Peake Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Kokomo Gopher Hill Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Beaune Premier Cru Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Giusti Ranch Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Nuits-Saint-Georges Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Kosta Browne Pommard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$$

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