2018 Vintage Tasting Notes

Our Appellation Series wines exemplify our commitment to exploration and passion for crafting soulful and thought-provoking wines that celebrate some of the world’s great terroirs.

The Sonoma Coast is the largest appellation in Sonoma County, strongly influenced by its proximity to the ocean and heavy rainfall—producing more than twice the annual amount of its inland neighbors.

This vintage, we sourced from eight vineyards in both the northern true coastal zone and the southern edge of the appellation. Together, they form a singular wine, distinctively Sonoma Coast, with illuminating, deep hues and a warm medley of boysenberry, blueberry, and fresh-cut strawberry, with a slight undertone of forest rain. To showcase the terrific vintage and purity of each site, we used a balanced selection of fermentation vessels. The resulting Pinot Noir is in beautiful harmony with well-integrated tannins, adding volume to a refined finish with an uplifting presence.

Fact of Note: The harvest window was roughly one month shorter than the previous vintage.

PH 3.62

81% stainless steel

11% wood tank

Vineyard Details

VINEYARD Treehouse, Thorn Ridge, Gap’s Crown, Marshall Ranch, Pratt, Balletto, Mardikian, Winner’s Circle
CLONES 2A, 15, 23, 115, Swan, Calera, Pommard, 113, 114, 115, 828
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Mainly Goldridge loam

Technical Details

FERMENTATION 81% stainless steel, 11% wood, 8% concrete, 1% whole cluster
ÉLEVAGE 38% new French oak for 15 months, 11% wood cask for 15 months, 1% new Austrian oak for 15 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.62
TA 5.6 g/L

Tasting Notes

NOSE A compilation of ripe, red and blue fruit ignites the senses with slight undertones of forest rain.
MOUTH Soft and smooth on the palate with pure electric dark berry flavors and deep, unified tannins add volume to a refined finish.

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Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our Appellation Series wines are a study in terroir with soulful elegance and energetic intensity.

The Sonoma Coast appellation overlaps with that of the Russian River Valley in many places and is similarly shaped by the ocean. Local geology can be complex here, a direct result of being located at the intersection of two tectonic plates.

The vineyards we source from lie in both the southern portion of the appellation and in the northern true coastal zone. Together, they form a singular wine that is distinctively Sonoma Coast with deep flavors, rich texture, and savory spice characteristics. To showcase the terrific vintage and the purity of each site, we used a balanced selection of fermentation vessels. The resulting Pinot Noir has enticing energy with pristine dark fruit, dimension, and a long, driving finish.

Fact of Note: The last date to pick fruit for Sonoma Coast in 2020 was the first date of harvest in 2019.

The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is an epic rock symphony. It’s got tons of energy and drive on the palate.”

Julien Howsepian, Winemaker

ABV 14.1%

34% new French oak

61% stainless steel