The 2019 Hatton Daniels Pinot Noir is a love letter to one of the Sonoma Coast's most prestigious sites. While most Robert's Road fruit is polished and tucked behind oak, winemaker Dan Fishman (Donum Estate) chooses a different path: Pure, unadulterated expression. 91 Points, Wine Advocate
Imagine this alongside roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, or even a simple plate of aged Gruyère. With its fine-grained tannins and long, nuanced finish, it's the kind of bottle that starts a conversation and finishes far too quickly.
Enjoy this bottle now through 2028.
The Pedigree
100% Sangiacomo Robert’s Road fruit (the gold standard of the Petaluma Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir).
The Craft
Zero added sulfites. Native yeast. No makeup.
The Vibe
Think savory black tea, flinty minerals, and juicy acidity that makes your mouth water for another sip.
The Verdict
"At 6 years old, the 'edge' of youth has softened into elegant, earthy complexity. It’s a $70+ Pinot experience for only $35. Period."
Sangiacomo Vineyard, Robert's Road
Located at the base of Sonoma Mountain at the far northern edge of the Petaluma Gap, the Roberts Road Vineyard experiences long, slow, and even growing seasons, perfect for Pinot Noir – rich yet delicate. For nearly half the day the vineyard is shrouded in fog. The vineyard is influenced by coastal breezes, lending itself to slow, even growing, and fruit development. The block of Pinot Noir for this bottling is in the flatlands at the base of Sonoma Mountain (on the western side) and features well-draining, silty gravel soils.
Vintage
The 2019 vintage for Pinot Noir from the Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard is widely regarded as exceptional, characterized by a long, cool growing season that allowed for slow ripening and complex flavor development. Experts note that Pinot Noir was particularly successful across California in 2019, yielding wines with strong acidity and deep fruit concentration.
The Maker: Dan Fishman
From PhD Candidate to Pinot Specialist. Dan Fishman doesnt just make wine; he translates terroir. After walking away from a PhD program to follow a "gut feeling" for the vine, Dan cut his teeth at the legendary Donum Estate, where he became obsessed with the nuances of high-end Pinot Noir. Dan has shed the "textbook" rules. He is a purist and a risk-taker, favoring native yeasts and zero added sulfites. His philosophy is simple: if the farming is perfect (and at Sangiacomo, it is), the winemaker's job is to stay out of the way. The result is a 2019 vintage that is raw, elegant, and intellectually stimulating—just like the man who made it.
Winemaking
After a decade of working with Robert’s Road fruit, Dan decided to push the boundaries. In 2019, he moved to 100% stem inclusion (whole bunch fermentation). This isn’t just a technical tweak—it's a transformation. The stems provided a natural 'rounding' of the palate, trading sharp acidity for a plush, velvety texture. More importantly, it added a sophisticated 'grip' and firm tannin structure that makes this vintage the most cellar-worthy to date. By excluding the press wine and focusing only on the free-run juice, Dan ensured the final blend remained elegant, pure, and flawlessly balanced.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Sangiacomo Roberts Road (Established 1999)
AVA: Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast
Clones: Heritage Swan & Pommard
Soil Type: Deep, well-drained loamy soils (ancient creek bed)
Fermentation: 100% Native Yeast
Barrel Aging: 16 months in French oak
Sulfites: Zero Added (Unadulterated Grape Juice)
Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2028
Alcohol: 13.2%
Temperature Control Shipping
All Central, Midwest & Eastern orders ship via temp control truck.
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
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
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet 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. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
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.
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.
95 Points
Aromas of wild berries, black fig and ripe dark fruits are intertwined with hints of fresh mountain herbs, mineral, leather, savory spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, red currants and cassis are layered with notes of wild sage, dark chocolate truffle, cinnamon, clove, and a kiss of oak.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
93 Points
Depth, balance and big flavors. The nose evokes black cherry pie, licorice, plums, vanilla, and notes of chocolate. On the palate, it bursts with cassis, red currants, toasted walnuts, and chocolate. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
