95 Points - Decanter
93 Points - Kevin Vogt - Master Sommelier
Charles Heintz is the "crown jewel" of the Sonoma Coast. It's the vineyard that fuels the triple-digit legends: Kosta Browne, Williams Selyem, and Littorai. When winemaker Weston Eidson used his mentors' connections to secure a few tons of this fruit, it was a masterstroke. The result is a Pinot Noir that feels "carved rather than built"—precise, powerful, and elite.
While this bottle commands $85 at the winery, our "found inventory" pricing brings it to you for a fraction of that. It's the ultimate "insider" bottle—the pedigree of a $100 icon with a price tag that lets you open it on a Tuesday.
It's rare to find a wine with this much "social climbing" DNA mentors like Russell Bevan and Jason Moore (multiple 100-point scores) that hasn't been marked up to the moon yet. Weston knows the secret passwords; today, so do you.
Food Parings
Here are three food pairings tailored to this specific style of Pinot Noir:
Serving Tip: To maximize that "freshness and energy" mentioned in the Decanter review, serve this Pinot at a slightly cool cellar temperature (around 58-62°F). This keeps the alcohol in check and lets the complex aromatics of the Charles Heintz Vineyard take center stage.
Charles Heintz Vineyard
One of California's most iconic and highly regarded vineyard sites, particularly celebrated for producing world-class Pinot Noir Located in the Sonoma Coast near the town of Occidental, it is frequently described by critics as a "Grand Cru" caliber site due to its unique combination of old vines, coastal influence, and distinct Goldridge soils. Situated at 900–1,000 feet elevation on a ridgetop 7–9 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The climate Influenced by coastal fog that rolls directly through the vines, creating a slow ripening process that preserves high natural acidity while developing deep fruit richness. Dominated by Goldridge sandy loam soil, a rare, well-draining soil highly prized for premium viticulture. Top Producers include Kosta Browne, Littorai, Williams Selyem, Ceritas, DuMOL, The Calling, Amici.
Winemaker & Technical Notes
Weston Eidson, the brilliant young talent behind the Silver Ghost label.
He crafted a top-class Pinot that competes with all the big names. Weston Eidson is nothing if not well-connected and well trained. He's worked with mentors that included Russell Bevan of Bevan Cellars—author of nearly twenty 100-point wines—and Jason Moore, the brains and inimitable palate behind Modus Operandi. By the time he made his first vintage, Eidson was tapping sites like Sonoma's iconic Bacigalupi Vineyard and chatting up Steve Matthiasson to use grapes from the California guru's famous Linda Vista Vineyard. Still, taking fruit from one of the crown-jewels of Sonoma County for this 2024 Montagu is a masterstroke of its own. This guy clearly knows all the secrets.
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Charles Heintz Vineyard
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Aging: 14 months in French Oak (33% New)
Cellar Potential: Peak drinking window between 2026 and 2035
Alcohol: 14.6%
Winemaker: Weston Eidson
This is a massive "find." Getting Charles Heintz fruit—the same grapes used by Littorai and Kosta Browne—at a "less than half price".
Download Full Technical Sheet & Cellar Notes
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.
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.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
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.
96 Points
Bold and luxurious with inviting aromas of blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, notes of cedar and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather.
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.
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.
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.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This opulent wine opens with aromas of blackberry, black plum, violets and spice on the nose. Flavors on the palate of dark cherry, sarsaparilla and orange zest wrap around dried tobacco leaf, malt chocolate and toasted vanilla, with a long, supple finish.
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.
Inky, plush, cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
