2021 Occidental Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental Sonoma Coast

2021 Occidental Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $60-$70Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

OCCIDENTAL 

FREESTONE-OCCIDENTAL
PINOT NOIR 2021
SONOMA COAST

2021 Occidental Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental Sonoma Coast
Steve Kistler worked his first harvest for Ridge Vineyards in 1975 and observed the obvious difference in the character of the cool climate, coastal fruit versus fruit grown in warmer vineyards further inland. Steve developed a taste for marine-influenced wines, opened Kistler Vineyards in 1978, and has been a Pinot Noir pioneer since the early 1990s. He then sought ridges and terraces near the small town of Bodega, which he believes have the ideal soil and climate for producing Burgundian-styled wine. 
 
After selling his stake in Kistler Vineyards in 2008, Steve embarked on a new project named Occidental focused on cool-climate Pinot Noir of the utmost quality. The 2021 Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir comes from the Bodega Headlands, Occidental Station, and Bodega Ridge vineyards and shares the same winemaking regimen as their single vineyard Pinots and projects a bright, focused energy that will develop beautifully over time.
 
OCCIDENTAL 
FREESTONE-OCCIDENTAL
PINOT NOIR 2021
SONOMA COAST
 
Your Price: $69.99
 
 
“The Occidental Freestone-Occidental Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021 begins with an evocative nose of cherry cough drop, cola bean, salami, Spring florals, and dried herbs. The gorgeous, penetrating palate continues with bright red fruits, fresh mixed berries, sweet dark cherries, bay leaf, and a saline minerality. It balances power and elegance in a way that beautifully expresses the best characteristics of the Pinot Noir varietal. The long, drawn-out finish and mouth-quenching acidity make it an amazing treat that I can’t wait to enjoy again.”
95 Points

2021 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

FLOWERS

PINOT NOIR 2021
SONOMA COAST 

Over three decades ago, Joan and Walt Flowers took a risk and planted their first vineyard along the “far” Sonoma Coast, known for its rough and rugged windswept shoreline. They were among the first to grow in the area, seeing the vast potential to create wines that express their origin and promote the region’s unique flavors from the remote coastal ridges.
 
This Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir features a selection of fruit from Lavio Ranch, Hallberg Ranch Vineyard, Bohan Ranch, and the Flowers’ Sea View Ridge Estate, reflecting the ultimate expression of cool-climate, coastal fruit. The 2021 vintage gave small yields of grapes with an impressive depth of flavors elaborately layered into a backbone of fine tannins, giving a polished texture and a refined, lush finish.
 
FLOWERS
PINOT NOIR 2021
SONOMA COAST 
Retails at: $60
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“This has nice tension and tannic framing. Full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy with freshness, and spicy character to the ripe strawberry and cherry on the finish.”
93 Points
2019 Sojourn Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2019 Sojourn Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

SOJOURN

CHARDONNAY 2019
SONOMA COAST

2019 Sojourn Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 as a first-class artisanal winery with a competitive drive to make limited bottlings from some of California’s most expressive and distinctive vineyards. The winery produces highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa and Sonoma counties that seamlessly showcase the brilliance of each specially selected location.
 
The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a blend of Sangiacomo Vella Ranch, Durell Vineyard, Sangiacomo Roberts Road, and Gap’s Crown Vineyards, all known for their laser-focused expression of cool-climate characteristics. The 2019 growing season was similar to 2018, with mild weather, but yields were lower, which increased the overall concentration of the fruit, creating wines with impressive depth and complexity.
 
SOJOURN
CHARDONNAY 2019
SONOMA COAST
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“The 2019 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is a beauty that gives up a fresh, lively, medium-bodied style as well as textbook Chardonnay ripe orchard fruits, white flowers, and honeyed toast. I like its overall balance on the palate, it has good acidity, and outstanding length.”
93 Points
2020 Widows Peak Pinot Noir by Beau Vigne Sonoma County

2020 Widows Peak Pinot Noir by Beau Vigne Sonoma County

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

WIDOW’S PEAK

BY BEAU VIGNE
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY 2020

2020 Widows Peak Pinot Noir by Beau Vigne Sonoma County
Beau Vigne’s signature style was developed by founding winemaker Dave Phinney, making rich, balanced, multidimensional wines, with Robert Parker calling the boutique estate “one of my favorite wineries.” Kirk Venge succeeded Dave Phinney, and Julien Fayard, former Director of Winemaking for Philippe Melka, is the mastermind behind the wines known for producing California varietals with a French twist.
 
The Widow’s Peak Sonoma County Pinot Noir was sourced from a single vineyard in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, with several aspects and microclimates creating a range of diversity within the vines. The grapes producing the 2020 wine are from four separate clones, including 667, 777, and two California Heritage clones. The fermented juice spent eight months in 40% new French oak, delivering a wine that energetically showcases the complexity of the variety.
 
WIDOW’S PEAK
BY BEAU VIGNE
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY 2020
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“Beau Vigne 2020 Widow’s Peak Sonoma County Pinot Noir opens with lush notes of ripe red plum, maraschino cherry, Christmas cake, vanilla, cocoa powder, and earth. The wine is full-bodied on the palate with flavors of sweet red fruit, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, cola, and espresso bean. The rich flavor intensity carries into a long finish, and the spice component will make a perfect match for holiday pairings.”
93-94 Points
2019 La Pitchoune La Revolte Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2019 La Pitchoune La Revolte Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

LA PITCHOUNE

LA RÉVOLTE CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST 2019

2019 La Pitchoune La Revolte Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Inspired by a small family property in Southern France, La Pitchoune Winery’s name translates to “the little one.” The winery is proud of its small size and production, which the owners consider their most significant asset because they can spend more time, attention, and focus to every bottle they produce. 
 
Winemaker Andrew Berge’s Master’s degree in Agriculture gives him a deep understanding of geography, soil, and vines that are the foundation of his wines. The 2019 La Révolte Chardonnay was sourced from the Pratt and Falcon Crest Vineyards and hand-crafted using Old-World style techniques, including barrel fermentation without fining or filtering for opulent flavor and impeccable balance.
 
LA PITCHOUNE
LA RÉVOLTE CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST 2019
Retails at: $48
 
 
 
“La Pitchoune 2019 La Révolte Chardonnay begins with rich notes of apricot, honeydew melon, vanilla, and beeswax. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with opulent flavors of ripe peach, nectarine, honey, and toasted brioche. The flavor intensity lingers into a pleasant finish balanced by refreshing acidity.”
92 Points
20121 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella Sonoma Coast

2021 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella Sonoma Coast

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

HANZELL

SEBELLA PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

20121 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella Sonoma Coast
Hanzell Vineyards is a historic Sonoma property planted in 1953 after the founder, James D. Zellerbach, spent several years in Burgundy, falling in love with the region’s style, techniques, and wine culture. The De Brye family acquired the estate in 1975, focusing on sustainability and maintaining the original, holistic farming approach.
 
The Sebella Pinot Noir celebrates this site and soil selection and sources fruit from like-minded partner growers in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The 2021 Sebella was aged for ten months in 100% neutral French oak to maintain a fresh coastal charm, complex fruit intensity, and depth, emulating the estate wines for a third of the price.
 
HANZELL
SEBELLA PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“The Hanzell 2021 Sebella Pinot Noir opens with lilacs, fresh red cherry, and plum accented by savory spice, sweet tobacco, and a sea shell minerality. The wine has a light to medium body and flavors of pomegranate, cranberry, blood orange, and cinnamon. The bright, playful character is in a delicate balance with soft tannins, ready to drink now or lay down for a few years.”
93 Points
2021 Sea Slopes Pinot Noir By Fort Ross Winery Sonoma Coast

2021 Sea Slopes Pinot Noir By Fort Ross Winery Sonoma Coast

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

SEA SLOPES

BY FORT ROSS WINERY
PINOT NOIR 2021
SONOMA COAST

2021 Sea Slopes Pinot Noir By Fort Ross Winery Sonoma Coast
Lester and Linda Schwartz purchased a section of forest straddling the edge of the Sonoma Coast in 1988, where wind-swept, foggy ridges overlook the Pacific. Experts advised against planting vines in this cool-climate area, claiming it was too risky for viticulture. Still, after six years of experimentation with different clones, rootstocks, and trellising systems, Lester and Linda produced their first vintage, proving the site’s ability to grow exceptional Burgundian varieties.
 
Jeff Pisoni, son of the legendary winemaker Gary Pisoni, joined the team in 2009, bringing his experience gained from growing up immersed in wine culture and his degree in Enology from the California State University Fresno. The 2021 growing season was drier than average, forcing the vines’ roots to dig deep into the earth for nutrients and water, resulting in very concentrated Pinot Noir fruit, with flavors carefully integrated by aging the wine in 80% neutral and 20% new French oak for nine months.
 
SEA SLOPES
BY FORT ROSS WINERY
PINOT NOIR 2021
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $33
 
 
“The Sea Slopes Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021 is a virtual basket of red fruits on the nose and palate, with bright and fresh red raspberries, red cherries, and ripe plum, along with violets, cola, and fresh sage. It has an excellent concentration of fruit on the finish, surrounded by slightly chalky tannins in its youth, which will soften over the next few months.”
92 Points
2018 Sixteen by Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2018 Sixteen by Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

SIXTEEN by TWENTY

CHARDONNAY 2018
SONOMA COAST

2018 Sixteen by Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Sixteen by Twenty Winery gets its name from an artist’s most common canvas size used for oil paintings because the dimensions create an ideal balance for displaying their artwork. As artists, owners David and Karen Dunphy apply this balance philosophy to every wine they produce.
 
The vineyard team is hands-on in the vineyards, individually positioning each vine shoot, removing unhealthy or damaged clusters, and ultimately harvesting by hand for utmost quality fruit. The Sonoma Coast AVA is their favorite region for Chardonnay because of the oceanic influence that gives a distinct minerality, ripe fruits, and fresh acidity. The 2018 vintage is noticeably softer and more elegant than previous vintages and celebrates the unique personality of the vineyards, displayed brilliantly.
 
SIXTEEN by TWENTY
CHARDONNAY 2018
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“The 2018 Sixteen by Twenty Sonoma Coast Chardonnay has inviting aromas of acacia blossoms, peach, passion fruit, butterscotch, sweet baking spices, and wet stones. On the palate, the wine is rich and creamy in texture with flavors of apricot, melon, vanilla cream sauce, and honeycomb. The pronounced flavors are balanced by bright acidity that promotes a long-lasting finish.”
93 Points
Goldeneye Brut Rose North Coast NV

Goldeneye Brut Rose North Coast NV

with No Comment $30-$40Champagne/SparklingKevin VogtNorth CoastSonoma CoastUSA

GOLDENEYE

BRUT ROSÉ
NORTH COAST NV

Goldeneye Brut Rose North Coast NV
Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Goldeneye Winery in 1996 to expand their winemaking repertoire into cool-climate, Burgundian varietals in Northern California. The Pacific marine influence brings mild temperatures, fog, and wind to the vineyards, providing an ideal environment for growing classic sparkling wine grapes Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.
 
The fruit for this wine was sourced from some of the finest and coldest vineyard sites in the North Coast AVA, maintaining high levels of refreshing acidity and brightness. The North Coast Brut Rosé was made in the traditional Champagne method with 26 months en tirage creating a beautiful balance of vibrant fruit and yeasty brioche notes that are almost too easy to enjoy. This lovely wine is my new favorite domestic sparkler.
 
GOLDENEYE
BRUT ROSÉ
NORTH COAST NV
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The Goldeneye North Coast Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine opens with aromas of orange blossom, strawberry cream cheese, sour cherry, apricot, and brioche. On the palate, the wine has a creamy, supple mousse and flavors of strawberry, grapefruit, and toasted pastry dough. The depth of flavors is impressive and contributes to a long, delightful finish.”
94 Points
2021 Aspara Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2021 Apsara Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRoséSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

APSARA CELLARS

ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

2021 Aspara Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Founders of Apsara Cellars, Robin and Aneeta Akhurst, met 20 years ago while studying biology and environmental science in Indonesia. Their travels broadened their interest in preserving nature with organic, biodynamic, and sustainable practices. Robin obtained his degree in Enology and spent the next four years working with Anne Claude Leflaive at Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy, Matt Wenk of Two Hands Wines in the Barossa Valley, Thomas Rivers Brown of Schrader and Outpost Cellars, and Mike Smith of Myriad and Carter Cellars in the Napa Valley.
 
Nothing could have prepared Robin better than his time spent with some of the world’s top winemakers, and today he sources fruit for Apsara wines with growers who share the same ecological ideals. Robin harvested the grapes for this 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir early to maintain a vibrant acidity, low alcohol, and delicate fruity and floral notes that make a perfectly indulgent summer wine. 
 
APSARA CELLARS
ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The 2021 Apsara Rosé begins with aerial notes of rose petals, pink grapefruit, mandarin orange, ginger, and fresh sage. The wine has a light body with mouthwatering acidity and refreshing flavors of peach, strawberry, and white cherry. This elegant wine is uplifting to the senses from the first sip through the delightful, zesty finish.”
94 Points