2018 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes

2018 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

FORT ROSS

2018 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES 

2018 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes
Sea Slopes is a wine inspired by the majestic Sonoma Coast and crafted by renowned winemaker Jeff Pisoni. Over the years, this wine has built upon a reputation of excellence as one of the area’s most reliable values. It’s the delicious result of the culmination of the proprietor’s drive to make the best wines from their Estate, and at $30, the value is substantial. 
 
Fort Ross Vineyard sits at the exact location where various soil types and elevations meet with an extreme maritime climate. In the near vicinity and inside the Fort Ross Seaview AVA, icons Peter Michael, Marcassin, Martinelli, Flowers, and Pahlmeyer all source fruit. 
 
Winemaker Jeff Pisoni helps to articulate the best attributes of the Estate. Jeff barrel ages this wine in primarily neutral barrels to integrate the natural acidity, rich flavors, and soft tannins into a beautiful, perfumed Pinot Noir.
 
FORT ROSS
2018 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“Bottled under screw cap and a value-priced effort, the 2018 Pinot Noir Sea Slopes comes from sites in the Sonoma Coast and has a lively, complex bouquet of spiced cherries, cranberries, sappy flowers, and a kiss of marine-like salinity. With good complexity, medium body, nicely integrated acidity, and a good finish, it’s a delicious drinker to enjoy over the coming 3-4 years.”
89 Points
 
“An expressive garnet, this lively Pinot Noir has alluring layers of raspberry, red plums and hibiscus aromas. Vibrant flavors of perfumed Bing cherry, tangy plum and dried cranberries seamlessly intertwine with hints of cassis framed by fine tannins. The mouthwatering acidity and structured, elegant layers of pure Pinot Noir fruit lingers through the energetic finish. Sea Slopes is a true expression of a coastal Pinot Noir.”
2017 Ten Acre Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2017 Ten Acre Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

TEN ACRE

2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2017 Ten Acre Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
The wine team at Ten Acre believes that they should make wine with respect for the land’s character from which they celebrate. Their 2017 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir celebrates three remarkable cool-climate vineyards farmed by passionate growers. They choose each specific block for its defined sense of location, and then carefully blended it so all three vineyards shine through.
 
This Pinot Noir strategically combines fruit from Three Perch, Stephens, and Jenkins Vineyards, producing tiny-yields of powerfully expressive Pinot Noir berries. Each site is grown in Goldridge soils, highly regarded for producing premium Pinot Noir fruit. 
 
Michael Zardo, the winemaker at Ten Acre, was previously the assistant winemaker at Pisoni Vineyards. He crafts balanced, expressive, terroir-driven wines, which he achieves through gentle winemaking, and fermenting with native yeast. The quality of fruit, skilled craftsmanship and balance of this wine is very distinctive and worth every cent.
 
TEN ACRE
2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“… Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very appealing aromas of darker red and purple fruits with hints of spice and white pepper. More concentrated than the Russian River Valley bottling, featuring a mid weight array of blue and purple fruits along with a touch of oak and licorice. Nicely integrated tannins and some finishing persistence.”
90 Points

“Embodying the character and quality of the three vineyards it comes from, this dynamic Pinot Noir combines luxurious fruit with layered complexity. On the nose, aromas of plum, black cherry, rhubarb and sweet baking spices mingle with sophisticated hints of sage, graphite and crunchy fall leaves. The red and black fruits is echoed on the palate, where lively underling acidity frames the blackberry, cherry and pomegranate flavors, while drawing the wine to a long, bright finish.”
2017 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes

2017 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes

with No Comment $30 and underFort Ross SeaviewKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

FORT ROSS

2017 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES 

2017 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes
Fort Ross was one of the first to plant Pinot Noir on the extreme Sonoma Coast’s rugged ridges, overlooking the Pacific. After purchasing the land in 1988, the Schwartz family spent years experimenting with various clones, rootstocks, and trellising systems, before selecting a set of heritage clones that they believed would best reveal the terroir of their majestic vineyard. Their 2017 Sea Slopes is the delicious result of the culmination of their continual drive to make the best wines from their Estate, and at $30, the value is real.
 
Sea Slopes comes exclusively from the winery’s Estate Vineyard located in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA, a source for Peter Michael, Marcassin, Martinelli, Flowers, and Pahlmeyer, to list a few.
 
In 2009 renowned winemaker Jeff Pisoni came aboard to articulate the best attributes of the Estate further. Jeff barrel ages this wine for ten months in mostly neutral barrels to integrate the natural acidity, rich flavors, and soft tannins into a beautiful, perfumed Pinot Noir.
 
 
FORT ROSS
2017 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
“This red offers outstanding value for the quality: a balanced, textured and varietally satisfying expression of coastal coolness and acidity. Earthy flavors of tea, cola, black licorice and dried herb provide an exoticism amidst elegant layers of orange peel and cranberry.”
92 Points, Editors’ Choice
 
“Aromas of wild red flowers and red cherries, as well as raspberries here. The palate has a gently creamy texture with fine, supple and even-paced tannins, carrying vibrant, fresh-fruit flavors. Drink now. Screw cap.”
91 Points
2018 Raen Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert Cuvee Sonoma Coast

2018 Raen Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert Cuvee Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

RAEN

2018 PINOT NOIR 
ROYAL ST. ROBERT CUVEE
SONOMA COAST

2018 Raen Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert Cuvee Sonoma Coast

After tasting Carlo & Dante Mondavi’s new Pinot, it became abundantly clear that their family’s intense passion for the wine industry and talent for identifying vineyards capable of producing world-class wine passed to them. After all, they grew up at their grandfather’s OPUS ONE Winery, and honed their skills further at their father’s cult brand Continuum, before going out on their own. The 96 Point 2018 Raen Pinot Noir is the result of the culmination of their upbringing, cultivated by their father and grandfather. 
 
Raen’s 2018 Royal St Robert Cuvee combines fruit from Freestone, Occidental, Bodega, and Fort Ross Seaview Sea Field Vineyards. It is a barrel selection that they handpicked from their finest barrels, to create a textbook cool-climate Pinot with brilliant definition, balance and fruit. 
 
At the winery, they utilized 100% whole cluster fermentation for added structure and depth, and on the palate, the wine is detailed, focused, and loaded with intense red fruits, minerals, and floral-infused herbs. At $60, you should try it.
 
RAEN
2018 PINOT NOIR 
ROYAL ST. ROBERT CUVEE
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $59.99
Click to Order
 
 
 
“Intense aromas of dried strawberry with stone and mineral undertones. Medium to full body with tight, firm tannins and beautiful length and depth. This needs three or four years to come together”  96 Points
2018 Barrique Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2018 Barrique Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

BARRIQUE 

2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2018 Barrique Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Producing quality Pinot Noir begins in the vineyard with the right clonal selection, terroir, and perfectly ripened fruit. Then, it moves to the winery, where gentle and skilled winemaking techniques complete the job. It doesn’t always take much money to get the result you want. If you have relationships with the right growers and have the right skills, you can make a stunning wine that doesn’t cost a fortune. Barrique’s 2018 Sonoma Coast Pinot is the perfect example, and at our price, I bet you’ll wish you had ordered more when you try it…  
 
Barrique’s Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir encompasses cool-climate vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Carneros AVAs. The blend also includes fruit from the Roses Estate Vineyard on Olivet Road, which is near icons like Martinelli. 
 
Once harvested, the fruit was gently transferred by gravity to open-top fermenters, where it was fermented with 33% whole clusters for added depth and structure. The resulting wine is balances brightly focused and intriguing fruit, with velvety, yet firm tannins and lovely acidity.  
 
BARRIQUE 
2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $23
 
Your Price: $19
Click to Order
 
 
 
“The 2018 Barrique Pinot Noir is deep red in the glass, the nose is full of ripe huckleberry, cedar and vanilla spice. The texture is plush with a broad mouthfeel. Flavors of blackberry compote, fig jam and caramelized sugar round out a long finish.”
2016 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2016 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

COSA OBRA

2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

 

2016 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot NoirCosa Obra makes my short-list of the leading values in Pinot Noir that we’ve introduced over the years. We still get requests for it months, and even years after our offering. The perceived value that gets packed into each bottle is palpable, and the 2016 vintage is a splendid example. This vintage brought a more powerful, meatier style of Pinot from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyard. At our price, I’m confident that people will be talking about this long after it’s gone. 

The Sangiacomo Vineyard is the source for Cosa Obra, and its storied history earned more than its fair share of memorable, highly-rated wines. The 2016 vintage spent just nine months in French oak, preserving the wines vibrant and lively flavors, yet adding a lightly toasty finish.

Cosa Obra sources the fruit from a tiny block of Pommard Clone grapes that produces intriguing aromas and a dense Pinot Noir fruit. It erupts from the glass with a vibrant medley of dark cherries, exotic spices, wild roses, and subtle meaty characteristics.

COSA OBRA
2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $32

Your Price: $29.99

Click to Order

 

“Garnet in color, the nose opens slowly over time revealing aromas of dark cherry, spice, and tobacco. A full mid palate with flavors of black cherry, blueberry-pomegranate and cherry cola, embellished with toasty oak in the background. Wellrounded, integrated tannins and texturally appealing with a soft and sleek mouthfeel.”

2018 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2018 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

BLACK PINE

2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2018 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Now entering their tenth vintage, Black Pine has built a reputation as one of the greatest value Pinot Noirs to grace the shelves in our shop, after a culmination of outstanding efforts. If you’ve enjoyed any of their earlier vintages, you already know what to expect, but if you haven’t, I guarantee you’ll love it once you do.
 
Conceived from carefully chosen vineyards located in the Petaluma Gap, Russian River, and Sonoma Coast, the 2018 Black Pine has a lush mouthfeel, terrific intensity, and balance.
 
The 2018 was kept for ten months in French oak and delivers outstanding weight, richness and has a stunning palate presence. The new release is so good that not only did it live up to our grand expectations, but it absolutely crushed them…  
 
BLACK PINE
2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $30
 

Click to Order

 

“The vibrant garnet color gives way to bright floral strawberry- raspberry aromatics, while in the mouth the velvety texture delivers ripe cherry, red plum and a touch of earthiness that defines this outstanding bottling. The moderate tannins give length to the finish of this balanced wine”

2017 Red Car Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

2015 Red Car Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

RED CAR

2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST

2017 Red Car Sonoma Coast ChardonnayThe vineyard composition of Red Car’s Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is legendary, making the level of value inside the bottle remarkably transparent. A significant portion of the 2015 hails from Ritchie Vineyard, which has an epic history of producing some of California’s most distinguished Chardonnays. At $38, the wine is a serious value, but at this price, you might want to race to the order button. 

Red Car’s 2015 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay features some of the coldest Chardonnay vineyards in California. It is based around a core of Ritchie fruit that’s made even more intriguing with fruit from Red Car Estate, Zephyr Farms, Manchester Ridge, and Hawk Hill Vineyards.

The 2015 was fermented almost exclusively in neutral oak barrels to preserve the natural clarity of the fruit. On the palate, the wine is detailed, fresh, and inviting, and offers brilliant clarity, balance, and delicate texture, and It’s an absolute joy to taste. 

RED CAR
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $38

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“The 2015 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast offers up notes of spiced apples and poached pears with touches of honey toast, cashews and ginger. Medium-bodied with a very yeasty/savory palate, it has a pleasantly creamy texture and oodles of freshness, finishing long…” 91 Points

0216 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2016 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

COSA OBRA 0216 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

 
It’s very telling to us when any particular wine is still requested and praised months or even years post offering…  When this happens, some might call it storied or legendary, but when a value Pinot Noir under thirty bucks makes this list, it simply speaks to the above average quality of the wine.  For those of you who tasted, loved and are still talking about the earlier vintages of Cosa Obra Pinot, all I can say is, wait until you taste the 2016… Vaulting from from the glass with a vibrant medley of dark cherries, exotic spices, lavender and subtle vanilla, this is not only a terrific value, but a wine I think people will talk about long after it’s gone.
 
Arising from the Sangiacomo Vineyard, a vineyard that’s produced it’s fair share of memorable and highly-rated wines, the 2016 spends just 9 months in French oak, preserving the wines vibrant and lively flavors, yet adding a lightly toasty finish.  Long, lovely and persistent on the palate this is simply a wine that when you taste it, you feel like you got a great deal, and that leaves a good taste in your mouth… Pun intended.
 
COSA OBRA
2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

Click to Order

Winery Notes: “Garnet color in the glass. The nose opens slowly over time revealing aromas of dark cherry, spice, and tobacco. A full mid palate with flavors of black cherry, blueberry-pomegranate and cherry cola, embellished with toasty oak in the background. Wellrounded, integrated tannins and texturally appealing with a soft and sleek mouthfeel.“
 
Customers that enjoy Cosa Obra Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2015 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
ALMA de CATTLEYA
2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl

Click to Order

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Pale ruby purple in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir opens with Bing cherries, tart cranberry, blackberry, violet and tobacco leaf aromas with tangerine peel nuance. Light to medium-bodied, it’s fresh and soft in the mouth with crunchy red fruits and citrus accents, framed by soft, grainy tannins and juicy freshness to lift the finish...” 90 Points
JOSEPH JEWELL
2015 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $40/btl
 
 
From PinotFile: “Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Terrific nose offering aromas of vivid cherry, raspberry, spice and subtle toast. Thoroughly satisfying in a mid weight style featuring flavors of black cherry, blackberry and spice with a deft touch of oak in the background. Notable mid palate and finishing intensity, with gracious tannins. A charming AVA wine.” 92 Points

2017 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

BLACK PINE

2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

 
Black Pine is one of the best values we’ve discovered in Pinot Noir over the years, and none have surpassed it in numbers of cases shipped and sheer popularity.  There’s one simple reason why… The quality of what you get inside the bottle far exceeds what most would think possible at this modest price.  It delivers outstanding weight, balance and a stunning presence on the palate, then opens up to a tapestry of vivid dark berries, candied plum, caramelized cherries, dried rose and hints of clove.  If you’ve enjoyed  any of their earlier vintages, you already know what to expect… If you haven’t experienced Black Pine Pinot Noir, I absolutely guarantee you’ll love it once you do.
 
Conceived from carefully chosen vineyards located in the Petaluma Gap, Russian River and Sonoma Coast, the 2017 Black Pine has a lush mouthfeel, terrific intensity and balance.  Aged for 10 months in French oak, and a true model of Pinot Noir from California’s Sonoma Coast, the 2017 continues to gracefully evolve in the bottle and drinking better than ever right now.  I strongly recommend a case before the 2017 runs out.
 
BLACK PINE
2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $30/btl
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
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Winery Notes: “The wine shows appealing aromas of Bing cherry mixed with vanilla and baking spice. The deep ruby and purple wine reveals candied red plum that lingers in the glass…. sensuous and mouth filling and shows black cherry and strawberry flavors. Medium bodied flavors of perfumed Cherry, lush red fruit and clove give way to the bright natural acidity and fine tannins that draw out a long and impressive finish.“
 
“Ripe berry nose; smooth texture with tangy black cherry. Rich and generous with intensity and finesse.”   91 Points, Anthony Dias Blue
 
Customers that enjoy Black Pine Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
2017 Alma De Cattleya Sonoma County Pinot Noir
2015 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
ALMA de CATTLEYA
2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl 

Click to Order

 

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate:  “Pale ruby purple in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir opens with Bing cherries, tart cranberry, blackberry, violet and tobacco leaf aromas with tangerine peel nuance. Light to medium-bodied, it’s fresh and soft in the mouth with crunchy red fruits and citrus accents, framed by soft, grainy tannins and juicy freshness to lift the finish…“ 90 Points
JOSEPH JEWELL 
2015 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $40/btl
 

Click to Order 

From PinotFile: “Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Terrific nose offering aromas of vivid cherry, raspberry, spice and subtle toast. Thoroughly satisfying in a mid weight style featuring flavors of black cherry, blackberry and spice with a deft touch of oak in the background. Notable mid palate and finishing intensity, with gracious tannins. A charming AVA wine.“ 92 Points