2016 Stephens Vineyard Pinot Noir

Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Stephens Vineyard comes from a site in the Russian River Valley and spent 11 months in 40% new French oak. Ripe cherries, wild strawberries, spicy herbs, earth, and forest floor notes all emerge from this complex, Burgundian style Pinot Noir that has a solid mix of fruit and savoriness.” 92 Points.
—July 2019

Wine Advocate
“Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Earl Stephens Vineyard features a gorgeous perfume of red roses and violets over a core of warm red cherries, raspberry pie, and crushed cranberries plus touches of cloves and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied and delicately played in the mouth, it offers vibrant red fruit with fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed.” 93 Points 
—Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 2018

2016 Boots Block Pinot Noir

PinotFile
“…pleasing aromas of citrus, white stone fruits, and a ‘mineral’ character. The flavors echo the aromas with a backbone of virile acidity and a quenching finish of some length.” 90 Points: Outstanding. A very good or even exceptional wine that is reasonably priced for the quality.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018

2016 Green Acres Hill Block Chardonnay

PinotFile
“Very bright aromas of citrus and wet gravel. Flavors of lemon, kiwi and peach are forward and powerful. Spirited acidity adds freshness and a clean finish.” 92 Points: Outstanding.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018

2016 Jenkins Vineyard Pinot Noir

PinotFile
“Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of black cherry, pomegranate and chocolate. Darker, sappy fruits are featured in a bold style with a touch of spice. Still young, but showing nicely integrated tannins and acidity, predicting potential greatness ahead.” 92-93 Points: Outstanding.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018

Wine Review Online
“Clones 115, 667 and a touch of whole cluster fermentation make up this vintage of Jenkins. It’s young-ish of course, with bright oak toast and spice forward at present. It shows black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, fall spice and cardamom on the nose, followed up in linear fashion by the palate flavors. Great acidity creates a citric vibe in the finish, and the bright toast is just starting to integrate. Hold a while.” 91 Points.
—Rich Cook, December 2018

Wine Advocate
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Jenkins Vineyard has a pale to medium ruby-purple color and cool blue-fruit nose with black fruits, dusty earth, cola, smoke, and savory spice. The palate is medium bodied with spicy fruit, firm, grainy tannins, and an earth finish.” 90 Points
—Erin Brooks, April 2019

2016 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay

PinotFile
“Sourced from an old vine block previously used by Mark Aubert along with a young vines block. There are probably Ritchie, Hyde and Muscat clones in the vineyard. The aromas of citrus, stone fruits and brioche leap from the glass - Wow! Perfectly balanced and sleek in style, with dreamy flavors of lemon and white peach. One doesn’t think of oak when sampling this beauty.” 96 Points: Extraordinary. An exceptional wine of great breeding and a highly recommended purchase.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018

Wine Advocate
“The 2016 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard offers up expressive lemon pie, pineapple and pink grapefruit notes with touches of struck match, baker's yeast and shaved almonds. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly styled and with loads of mineral notions coming through, it has a racy line and a long, toasty finish. 226 cases produced.” 92+ Points; An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
—Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 2018

Wine Review Online
“Winemaker Michael Zardo started getting this fruit in 2012 after pestering Kent Ritchie for access starting in 2010. Multiple coopers, daily lees stirring during primary fermentation, minimal sulfur and native yeasts all contribute to a very expressive nose of layered apple, peach, light tropical fruit and leaf notes. On the palate, easy oak spice joins the mix, and bright acidity carries the malolactic weight well and stretches the finish.” 92 Points.
—Rich Cook, December 2018

2016 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir

PinotFile
“Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark red fruits and underbrush. Very silky on the palate, with vivacious mid weight flavors of cherry and raspberry. There is no sense of oak in this wine. Approachable now with commendable balance.” 92-93 Points: Outstanding.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018

Wine Review Online
“Rich damp earth minerality is the calling card given by the initial aroma, and it’s soon joined by deep black cherry, blackberry, cardamom and Asian spice. The palate is plush, delivering the nose elements in full throttle style and finishing long with an emphasis on integrated flavors. Perfectly oaked, and a dark delight.” 93 Points.
—Rich Cook, December 2018

Vinous
“Deep ruby-red. Smoke-accented black raspberry and cherry cola scents pick up suggestions of exotic spices and vanilla with air. In a plush, ample style, showing surprising energy to the sweet red and dark berry, cherry liqueur, and spice cake flavors. Hints of mocha and candied rose come up on a long, smooth finish, which is given shape by supple, even tannins. 92 Points
—Josh Raynolds, August 2019

2016 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

PinotFile
“Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, cocoa, and floral spices holding up in the glass over time. Flavorful darker fruits are blessed with integrated oak in a forward drinking mid weight style with some finishing length.” 89-90 Points: Very Good to Outstanding. A very good or even exceptional wine that is reasonably priced for the quality.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018

2016 Stephens Vineyard Pinot Noir

PinotFile
“Moderate garnet color in the glass. Exuberant black cherry aroma with accompanying oak-driven notes of caramel and cocoa. The wine’s luscious black cherry fruit fills the mouth with goodness. The fruit is well-ripened but not over ripened. The tannins are well managed and there is noticeable supportive oak to go along with the sexy texture. I took the opened bottle with me after the tasting and sampled it 4 days later after it had traveled inside my car over several miles, and the wine held up beautifully, even showing much better than when first opened.” 94 Points: Extraordinary. An exceptional wine of great breeding and a highly recommended purchase.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018

Wine Advocate
“Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Earl Stephens Vineyard features a gorgeous perfume of red roses and violets over a core of warm red cherries, raspberry pie and crushed cranberries plus touches of cloves and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied and delicately played in the mouth, it offers vibrant red fruit with fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. 150 cases produced.” 93 Points; An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
—Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 2018

Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Stephens Vineyard comes from a site in the Russian River Valley and spent 11 months in 40% new French oak. Ripe cherries, wild strawberries, spicy herbs, earth, and forest floor notes all emerge from this complex, Burgundian style Pinot Noir that has a solid mix of fruit and savoriness.” 92 Points.
—July 2019

2016 Three Perch Vineyard Pinot Noir

Wine Review Online
“From a famed vineyard near Occidental. The striking note here is crazy bright acidity, with the fruit and spice load to manage it. Ringing cherry and spice, with a nice citrus zest on the finish keep this big boy fresh. Clove and Asian spice round things off. Decant well and serve with prime rib!” 93 Points.
—Rich Cook, December 2018

PinotFile
“Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Penetrating aromas of blueberry-pomegranate fruit along with underbrush. Full-bodied and boldly sappy, featuring purple and black fruits. A fruit-laden, big boy with a long, fruity finish. Nicely composed and not overly heavy with integrated tannins.” 91-92 Points: Outstanding.
—Rusty Gaffney, August 2018