92 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide
Best Vintage Yet - James Laube, Wine Spectator
"Very Good" - PinotFile
The Sonoma Mountain AVA is a small wine-growing region just south of Bennett Valley and just west of Sonoma Valley, but its topography is quite different, resulting in a very different growing season. Where Bennett Valley funnels in fog from the coast, keeping it quite cold, and Sonoma Valley offers Western exposed hills and flat vineyards, making it quite warm, Sonoma Mountain offers a variety of exposures and elevations, making it harder to generalize about the climate. While Cabernet does well at the warmer sites, Sonoma Mountain Pinot can be extremely exciting when planted in a cooler site. Today’s wine from Willowbrook Cellars is just such a wine, sourced from the Kaufman Vineyard, which is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir.
The 2009 Willowbrook Kaufman-Sunnyslope Vineyard Pinot Noir is medium ruby to garnet in color, with a nose marrying classic Pinot aromas of cherry and blackberry with floral and baking spice undertones that are a hallmark of this vineyard. The palate is smooth and layered with cherry and berry flavors held together by an underlying minerality, hinting at iron. Spicy and juicy, this wine is incredibly well balanced, with wonderful persistence on the palate. For those that think terroir is the key to Pinot Noir, this one is sure to delight, as it beautifully shows off the unique characteristics of this Sonoma Mountain Vineyard.
Vintage: 2009
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Kaufman Sunnyslope Vineyard
Appellation: Sonoma Mountain
Fermentation: French Oak
Alcohol: 14.4%
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.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered 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.
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
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.
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