90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Made by 100-point winemaking phenom Megan Baccitich (former Director of Winemaking at Paul Hobbs Winery).
Lush, vibrant, and YES I'll definitely have another glass of that please from the much loved Petaluma Gap, bottled unfined and unfiltered!
VINEYARD
Planted around ten years ago exclusively to Pinot Noir, this vineyard has supplied grapes for KOSTA BROWN, HALL, and SONOMA CUTRER to name a few. Ideally situated in the Petaluma Gap, the climate is ideal for Pinot Noir. The estate experiences moderate daytime temperatures, even by Sonoma Coast AVA standards, allowing for prolonged hang-time (for phenolic maturity) while maintaining fresh pulp (for balanced acidity). During the growing season, the average summertime diurnal shift (difference from the day’s high and low temperatures) is 30-degrees.
WINEMAKING
The Pinot Noir grapes harvested from their Estate Vineyard in Petaluma Gap are Pommard, 667 and 115 clones. Upon hand picked in the early morning hours, grapes were carefully destemmed and sent to tank for a whole-berry fermentation. The grapes were cold-soaked in tank at 45°F for 6 days, allowing for increased color, aroma, and flavor extraction. After inoculation with a select yeast, the grape must (juice, skins, and seeds) fermented at 82-86°F, which allowed a hot extraction on the skins. For fermentation cap management, the juice was pumped over the skins two times per day, wetting the cap evenly for a nice healthy fermentation. Aged in French oak barrels (57% new) for 11 months sur lie and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
VINTAGE
The 2021 growing season offered optimal conditions in the Sonoma Coast to harvest grapes of exceptional quality. Brief heat waves in August and September ripened the grapes to ideal maturity as the weather stayed dry until major rains arrived October 22, after grapes were harvested. Yields were lower than average in 2021, with small berries and loose clusters creating wines of increased depth and concentration.
MEGAN BACCITICH, WINEMAKER
Having studied under and worked with the great Paul Hobbs for more than a decade, Megan brings her unique perspective and precision winemaking to Ron Noble Wines. Growing up in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, she spent most of her free hours outside, developing a love of nature. Her path to winemaking was a combination of her love of the outdoors, her aptitude with science in school, and her love of food and cooking.
As the founding winemaker at Ron Noble wines, she sees the immense potential of the estate and is guiding winemaking to reflect the site and maximize the possibilities for the wines.
Vintage: 2021
Appellation: Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Valley
Vineyard: Estate Vineyard
Winemaker: Megan Baccitich
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (Pommard, 115 and 667 clones)
Aging: 57% new French oak, 11 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered
Alcohol: 14%
Temperature Control Shipping
All Central, Midwest & Eastern orders ship via temp control truck.
99 Point Vintage
Bold and luxurious, rich and forward with a deep garnet-purple color, it strides confidently out of the glass with subtle hints of herbs de Provence, lavender, into black fruit with notes of crushed blueberries, fresh blackberry, warm cassis, tobacco and barrel spices galore.
Exceptional
Aromas of bright oak, essence of lilac, toasted brioche and sage delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of soft melted butter, quince, fig, and a touch of lavender that titillate your taste buds. Its delightful texture is balanced by great acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish. Truly a chardonnay lovers top pick.
94 Points
Loads of ripe dark fruits, chocolate and savory pepper, with vanilla oak spice in this luscious wine that relaxes in soft tannins. It's ripe, indulgent and yet balanced and truly distinctive. Elegantly structured tannins for aging, super plush long finish.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
Luxurious & Delicious...
Aromas of rich cherry, black currant, dark plums, with hints of lightly toasted vanilla, mint and crushed slate. The concentrated flavors further integrate with blackberries, tobacco, anise and earthiness with a balanced oak profile, layered palette, leaving you with its delightful finish.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
94 Points
Blueberry, currant and sweet spice on the nose, with satiny layers of marionberry, and fresh macerated blackberries, surrounding a core of leather, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and tobacco. Medium to full bodied, it's polished and creamy with nice weight on the mid palate.
94 Points
Aromas of cocoa mingle with notes of cassis, black cherry, blackberry coulis, graphite, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cedar. The palate is harmonious as the richness of barrel spice melds seamlessly with juicy plum, blackberry and licorice flavors. An incredibly polished texture, even at a young age. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
92 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis, mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice. Its all encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.
92 Points
Deep garnet core with aromas of crème de cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice mingle and swirl on the nose. The palate is equally gorgeous with extremely rich cookie, walnut, plum and cassis with a long smooth creamy vanilla finish. This one is aged to perfection and ready to show off.
95 Points
Deeply wild and floral with cherry, raspberry bramble, and dried cranberries layered with notes of baking spice and satsuma. Hints of cherry bark and dried violets carry through with touches of herbs and spice, lending a savory balance to silky layers and juicy, red core.
Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint. The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging. The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
96 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, spicy cola and black tea waft from the glass. The palate delivers all of that and then some, adding layers of fig jam, white peppercorn and baking spice. Firm juicy tannins and balanced acidity round it out.
90 Points
Dark ruby red in the glass, and good swirl on the nose offers generous aromatics of cassis, black cherry and spice. Generously oaked, with crushed blackberry, baked plums, baking spices, and Turkish fig. A supple body, gives way to red and dark fruit like plum, blueberry compote, prune, with anise and light spice on the finish.
Gold Medal
Aromas of white peach, melon, and orange blossom complemented by bright citrus and lemon zest. Notes of kiwi, pineapple, lemon, mango and papaya introduce a rich palate and a persistent mineral finish.
91 Points
Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, followed by elements of chocolate, toffee, vanilla, black pepper, and coffee. Exceptionally smooth and velvety with good balance and silky tannins. Bright black cherry, blackberry and pomegranate with a lush texture filled with fruit, cocoa powder, clove, and a spicy finish. It's got it all with a velvety mouthfeel and long satisfying finish.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
91 Points
This is primo fruit from high elevation vineyards in his Moon Mountain vineyard. Inky-black in the heart and purple blazing to the rim, offering up a nose of ripe cherry and violet, dried plums, figs, dates, and some black cherry. The first sip offers a lush mouth feel with layers of blackberry, currant, and a touch of chocolate with plenty of oomph. The palate builds as black and red berries mix with herb, exotic spices, and supple tannins to create a long, silky smooth finish.
94 Points
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, packed with black pepper on perfumey blue-blackberry fruit along with Cedary oak spice, dusty cocoa, warm vanilla creme and sweet oak. This wine has structured tannins for aging. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight.
93 Points
Exotic aromas of candied fruit and baked apple, and the palate is similar, showing cherry, ripe berries, and floral notes. Great acidity and lively fresh fruit flavors of tart cherry and pomegranate, and the mouthfeel is silky smooth making this an ideal summer wine, pairing beautifully with a wide range of food. Almost dangerous in how easy it is to drink.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
Gold Medal
Aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. Though packed with fruit, this Rosé finishes dry, with a nice balanced finish.
New Release
A ferociously fun Napa Valley blend with depth, balance and big flavor. Aromas of red currant, fresh strawberries, black plum, vanilla, and notes of cocoa on the nose. The palate is bursting with fruit ranging from cherries, mixed berry compote, toasted hazelnut and more. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
92 Points
Rich, bold & spicy. Deep garnet colored in the glass. The nose gives loads of blackberry, plum, fresh raspberry and peppery aromas, while the palate delivers juicy berry compote, cassis, caramel and black pepper flavors before a rich, tannic finish. Four to five years in the cellar will round this out nicely.
92 Points
Aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, blackberries, mocha, espresso and hints of black pepper. Incredibly balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and body against a backdrop of structured tannins. The wine unfolds with notes of clove and dried herbs, ending with a long rich finish.
91 Points, Wine Spectator
Deep, extra-ripe fruit flavors saturate this full-bodied wine, with blueberries, blackberries and dark plums on a juicy texture that slides easily down the hatch. The palate is full, structured and balanced. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice. It's pure indulgent enjoyment for sipping alone or pairing with stews and roasts.
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