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%
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
95 Point Vintage
Opens with explosive aromatics of cassis, black plum, and sweet tobacco leaf, layered with warm baking spices (cinnamon and cardamom) and a light, complex ferrous mineral note. The Palate and mouthfeel is broad and sumptuous, bursting with flavors of juicy cherry pie, dark raspberry, and boysenberry compote.
The Finish carries a luxurious, savory presence showing undertones of leather, mocha, and milk chocolate, framed by supple, superfine tannins that melt into a long, polished finish.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
95 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
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