95 Points - The New Wine Review
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
94 Points - International Wine Report
Enjoy now or any time over the next 5-6 years.
Winemaking
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. This allowed for long hang times to develop complex flavors and texture. Yields were lower than average in 2021, with small berries and loose clusters creating wines of increased depth and concentration. Pommard clone dominates the final 2021 blend with earthy tones overlaying layers of red fruit flavors. A portion of the grapes were fermented whole cluster, adding aromatic complexity and structural verve.
Vineyard
Riddle Vineyard is located in Green Valley of the West Sonoma Coast near the town of Occidental. Situated high upon a ridge top with a gentle south facing slope, the vineyard overlooks many of the iconic vineyards of the region. Mornings tend to be foggy, yet the fog burns off early, allowing the vines to be drenched in warm sun the rest of the day. Planted in 2008 at a high density with 3.5' x 6' spacing on exceptional Goldridge soils, the vine roots stretch deep in the soils looking for nutrients and water. This provides for deep, complex flavors. Riddle is planted to a mixture of Pinot Noir clones 115, Pommard and a distinctive Mt. Eden clone, which was taken as original bud wood from a prominent vineyard planted along California's Central Coast.
Vintage
The 2021 growing season offered optimal conditions in the Sonoma Coast to harvest grapes of exceptional quality. The air remained clear with no fires in Sonoma and pandemic lock downs ended. Our spirits were lifted and the grape harvest and wine quality benefited. 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 our grapes were harvested. Yields were lower than average in 2021, with small berries and loose clusters creating wines of increased depth and concentration. Riddle Vineyard's close proximity to the Pacific Ocean allowed for longer hang times through the moderate heat waves. Mt Eden clone provided a robust foundation of red fruit and intensity. Pommard clone is featured more prominently in 2021, offering silky texture and earth notes to balance the rich fruit and structure of the 115 clone.
Analysis
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Vineyards: Riddle Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: Open-top fermentation, Native yeast
Aging: 50% New French Oak
pH: 3.67
TA: 5.9 g/L
Bottled unfined and unfiltered August 2022
Cases Produced: 450
Alcohol: 14.4%
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe blackberry, and warm cassis with hints of cherry, black olive, currant and a touch of black pepper.
Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.
92 Points
With aromas of blackberry, dried fig, black cherry, blackberry coulis, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box. The palate offers rich and velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, black plum, mixed berry pie and toasted walnut. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
93 Points
Aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of Madagascar vanilla followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a touch of lavender. Its rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 fresh herb and pomegranate. Though packed with fruit, this Rosé finishes dry, with a nice balanced finish.
95 Points
Cool-climate vineyard that keeps things light and layered in a bright and effusive nose. Blueberry, plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, spice, and toasted vanilla notes leap from the glass. Chewy and lush with impressive structure, finishing long with a dark fruit and a leathery note on the back palate.
95 Points
Aged in 50% new French oak, this wine opens up with aromas of red rose, black raspberry, and cherry cola notes that explode from the glass, with secondary components of sandalwood, cedary herb, and shaved chocolate. Black cherry flavors take center stage on the palate with notes of strawberry fruit, leather and sweet toasted baking spices on the finish.
Exceptional
Aromas of blackberry, rose hip, dried cranberries and hints of boysenberry followed by notes of violets and crushed spices. The palate opens with a dense and lush tannin structure supported by flavors of red berry fruit, subtle acidity and a long flavorful, vanilla finish.
Rich & Plush!
Notes of ripe plum, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, five-spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with cherry pipe tobacco, blackberry, raspberry held together by mineral overtones and fresh acidity.
Big & Rich!
Dark purple-black color with a crimson edge. The nose gives classic Syrah notes of pepper and black cherries and blueberries with a slight hint of smoke and tobacco. Fully ripe blueberries, black cherries, and dried currants are the forward flavors supported by roasted espresso, and Mediterranean spice.
Bold & Spicy!
Savory aromas and a deep luscious color, this much-loved wine strokes your palate with flavors of dark cherry, blackberry with notes of cedar and spice and a rich complex finish with just a hint of chocolate.
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.