94 Points - International Wine Report
93 Points - PinotFile
91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A complete and simply stunning wine by the talented Erich Bradley.
Enjoy now through 2029.
Winemaking
In 2017, they picked the Calera block earlier due to extremely small berries, while the Vosne-Romanée blocks received longer hang time. All three Reuling Pinot noir clones were fermented separately before being blended just prior to bottling to showcase the complexity of the vineyard. The resulting wine is layered and expressive with darker color and increased depth.
Vineyard
Reuling Vineyard is located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, just off Highway 116 between Graton and Forestville. Planted in 2000 under the direction of Mark Aubert and Peter Michael Winery, this vineyard is comprised of 12.2 acres of Pinot noir planted to three unique clones - Calera and two distinct “suitcase” clones from the Vosne-Romanée region of Burgundy. There are also 2.2 acres of Chardonnay on the property. The vineyard is perched on a small hillside with gentle slopes at an elevation of 250 feet. It benefits from the cool marine influences converging from the coast, yet is exposed to the sun and afternoon heat, allowing the grapes to reach optimal maturity. Its Goldridge soils are extremely sandy, which naturally stresses the vines, resulting in low yields and concentrated flavors.
Vintage
The 2017 vintage endured tragic wildfires that were driven by 80 mph winds on October 8-9. The fires devastated Napa and Sonoma counties, destroyed more than 8,000 structures, took 44 lives and disrupted winery operations for several days. Fortunately, all of their Pinot noir grapes were picked prior to the fires and there was no impact to the 2017 Pinot noir wines. Balanced vines and temperature fluctuations resulted in layers of flavors and complexity in the wines. The overall high quality of the vintage is a blessing after such challenging events.
Analysis
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Vineyards: Reuling Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: Open-top fermentation, Native yeast
Aging: 50% New French Oak
pH: 3.68
TA: 5.8 g/L
Bottled unfined and unfiltered August 2018
Cases Produced: 425
Alcohol: 14.4%
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor. The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and keeps you running back for more. Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa. It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving.
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.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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.
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.
100+ Year Old Vines!
Deep crimson in color with aromas of black raspberry, cassis, strawberry compote, and licorice. The palate is full of black raspberry and pomegranate fruit, cassis, honey, earth and black pepper. This Zinfandel shows a great structure and balance of tannin and acid. Finishes big with raspberry and more notes of black pepper.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
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.
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.
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