2022 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

2022 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtMontereyPinot NoirSanta Lucia HighlandsUSA

Luli

Pinot Noir 2022
Santa Lucia Highlands

2022 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

At under $30, Luli’s Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir honors the idea that exceptional quality need not come with an exorbitant price tag. A collaboration between Master Sommelier Sara Floyd and the renowned Pisoni family, this wine is a harmonious blend of expertise and tradition.

Sara’s deep understanding of food and wine pairs seamlessly with Mark and Jeff Pisoni’s profound connection to the Santa Lucia Highlands. Together, they’ve crafted a wine that pays homage to the region’s coastal influence and its growing acclaim as a world-class Pinot Noir destination.

The 2022 Luli Pinot Noir is a celebration of the Highlands’ unique terroir. Sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards with low yields, the wine’s complexity is derived from a careful selection of Pinot Noir clones. Each cluster is hand-sorted and fermented with native yeasts in small lots, preserving the fruit’s natural character. By choosing to forego fining and filtering, the wine maintains its vibrant purity, resulting in a fresh, expressive, and undeniably handcrafted beverage.

This vintage is more than just a product of the land; it’s a tribute to a shared passion for crafting wines that exceed expectations.

Luli
Pinot Noir 2022
Santa Lucia Highlands

Your Price: $29.99

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“Dark pomegranate, raspberry and hibiscus aromas meet with tea leaf and dark sage on the dynamic nose of this appellation cuvée. The palate is lively with thyme, oregano and bay leaf flavors, set against a black raspberry core and atop a lingering texture.”

93 Points

2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtPinot NoirSanta Rita HillsUSA

LULI

2020 PINOT NOIR
SANTA RITA HILLS

2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
Seeking to create a new line of handcrafted wines from top-notch fruit at affordable prices, Luli was launched in 2007 by the combined knowledge, skills, and experience of Master Sommelier Sara Floyd, vineyard manager Mark Pisoni, and winemaker Jeff Pisoni. The Pisoni brothers grew up farming in the Santa Lucia Highlands with their father Gary, one of California’s most respected growers, sourcing fruit for Luli from vineyards in or near the same land they call home.
 
Wine is life for Sara and the Pisoni brothers, so the desire to bring family and friends together to swirl a glass of fine wine for a reasonable price is a passion for all three. Possibly one of the best winemaking teams in history, this successful partnership illustrates the talents and strengths of three different masterminds in each vintage and every glass poured.
 
LULI
2020 PINOT NOIR
SANTA RITA HILLS
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The 2020 Luli Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir begins with an intriguing nose that includes fresh strawberries, English rose petals, cotton candy, and Autumn baking spices. The palate mimics these traits, adding cherry cola, red plums, liquid minerals, and a bright freshness combined with a supple texture that beautifully rounds this wine out. Drink it now, and over the next six to eight years.”
92 Points
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 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
2013 Fort Ross FRV Pinot Noir

2013 Fort Ross FRV Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Fort Ross SeaviewKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

FORT ROSS

2013 PINOT NOIR
FRV, SONOMA COAST

2013 Fort Ross FRV Pinot Noir
There are plenty of reasons why we love Fort Ross Pinot Noirs.  Their winemaking is second to none with Jeff Pisoni calling the shots. Further, their prices have also remained realistic over the years, despite the growing fan base and well-deserved scores.  The number one thing that keeps me coming back year-after-year is the ideal location of their vineyard… It’s centered in the idyllic Fort Ross Seaview AVA, which in 2011 was approved as its own Appellation within the Sonoma Coast, the area is also a source for such notables as Peter Michael, Marcassin, Martinelli, Flowers and Pahlmeyer, to list a few…  Their 2013 FRV Pinot Noir is a wine marked by stunning detail, length and character, and at this price, I can’t wait to experience it again…
 
Beautifully expressing the exceptional terroir found in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA with perfectly nit flavors, If you’ve tasted any of the earlier vintages of Fort Ross, you likely need no further commentary, other than to know the 2013 is now available.  If you haven’t tried a Pinot from this beloved producer, here’s a chance to enjoy one at a truly fantastic price.
 
FORT ROSS
2013 PINOT NOIR
FRV, SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $52.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
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From Jeb Dunnuck: “The 2013 Pinot Noir FRV Fort Ross Vineyard sports a ruby color as well as an open knit, ready-to-go bouquet of dried cherries, tobacco, menthol, and dried herbs. It’s pretty, medium-bodied, rounded, and supple, with an evolved style ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.” 90 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Fort Ross FRV Estate Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two stunning Pinots…
2016 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir 2015 Daniel Grandvent Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
ORRIN-SAGE
2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $49.00/btl
 

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Arising from the rugged Sonoma Mountain AVA, a unique area which gains some of the cooling influence from the Petaluma Gap and produces brilliant Pinot Noir fruit.  Bevan, Siduri and Flowers are just a few of the wineries that have crafted Pinots from this unique area.  The 2016 has stunning balance and opens up to vivid red fruits, dried rose, wild blueberries and tea leaf.   This remarkable expression of Pinot Noir was was expertly made by Justin Harmon who gained valuable experience as an intern under Russell Bevan.
DANIEL
2015 PINOT NOIR
GRANDVENT VINEYARD
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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YOU SAVE 33%
 
Tasting Notes: “… Sultry aromas of Bing cherry, tart cranberry and strawberry rhubarb pie combine with fresh sage, subtle green peppercorn, white rose petals and lavender to make your mouth water from the first whiff.  Next, wave after wave of complex flavors taunt your palate with Morello cherries, Desertnyi pomegranate, perfectly ripe Japanese black plum that beautifully intermingle with hints of cola and a touch of earthy dried porcini mushroom.  Densely focused red and black fruit flavors linger on your palate in such a compelling way, that you never want it to stop...”
2016 Fort Ross Sea Slopes Sonoma County Pinot Noir

2016 Fort Ross Sea Slopes Sonoma County Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Fort Ross SeaviewKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

FORT ROSS 2016 Fort Ross Sea Slopes Sonoma County Pinot Noir

2016 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES 

Always intellectually pleasing, detailed and memorable, Fort Ross is one of our most requested Pinots… Formed from the winery’s Estate vineyard, located in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA, which in 2011 was approved as its own Appellation within the Sonoma Coast, the area is also a source for such notables as Peter Michael, Marcassin, Martinelli, Flowers and Pahlmeyer, to list a few… Fort Ross excelled in 2016 and at under forty per bottle, this Pinot has everything that I look for in classic, extreme Sonoma Coast Pinot.  
 
The 2016 is vibrant and with a delicious, supple texture, it perfectly expresses the exceptional terroir found in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA.  It was expertly guided from grape to bottle by renowned winemaker Jeff Pisoni and is loaded with class and wonderfully articulate flavors.  If you’ve tasted any of the earlier vintages of Fort Ross, you likely need no further convincing, other than the fact that the 2016 is now available.  If you haven’t tried a Pinot from this beloved producer, here’s a chance to enjoy one at a truly fantastic price.
 
FORT ROSS
2016 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl
 
 
“… the 2016 Pinot Noir Sea Slopes gives up notions of warm cranberries and Bing cherries with a raspberry leaves, dried sage and tilled soil undercurrent. The palate is medium-bodied, refreshing and vivacious with a nice bit of chew to the texture and a persistent earthy finish” 
90 Points
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Sea Slopes is another terrific value from this estate. Cherries, strawberries, spice, and an undeniable salty, marine-like minerality give way to a fresh, elegant medium-bodied effort that shows the cooler, complex style of the Sonoma Coast appelation. Bravo.” 
91 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Fort Ross Sea Slopes Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…

  

2015 Matias Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir
MATIAS 
2015 PINOT NOIR
SIERRA MAR VINEYARD
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 

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Anybody who’s tasted the Matias wines knows what an incredible value they offer.  The level of class and sophistication is higher than any Pinot Noir close to this price point.  Their single vineyard 2015 SierraMar Pinot explodes from the glass with bright bing cherry, wild raspberries, spice box and hints of white pepper.   It emerges from Gary Franscioni’s Sierra Mar Vineyard, one of Santa Lucia Highlands highest elevation vineyards.  The Franscioni’s own and farm the iconic Garys’ and Rosella Vineyards and are partners in the revered Pisoni and Soberanes Vineyards… 
CROSSBARN
2015 PINOT NOIR
By PAUL HOBBS 
 
Your Price:   $36/btl 

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The short-list of the world’s top consulting winemakers is small, and many would argue that Paul Hobbs should be at the top.  To me, the most clear-cut reason for him being there is simply that people love his wines…  Forbes calls Paul the Steve Jobs of wine, referencing his ardent exactitude of winemaking and he’s clearly one of the most innovative and gifted winemakers.  The Forbes article also notes, that Hobbs was twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker.  This wine, with three 90-92 point reviews, is an excellent introduction to the wines of Paul Hobbs.