99 Points
Best of Class, Best of Region Red
Double Gold Medal - California State Fair
Planted to grapevines in 1994 (originally Merlot but soon after grafted to Pinot noir), this six acre parcel sits on the cooler north side of the prestigious Sonoma Mountain AVA. Owned by Jim and Sue Kaufman, Willowbrook has been producing single vineyard wines from this renowned site since 2008. It is planted to two clones, of which Willowbrook takes the Dijon 777 clone.
This beautiful hillside vineyard, with impressive views, benefits from consistent daytime sunshine but with heat moderated by the influence of the marine layer coming through the Petaluma Wind Gap, allowing the fruit to develop fully with little risk of sunburn, producing consistently ripe brix, low pH and excellent skin color: Willowbrook’s Kaufman Sunnyslope Pinots have great aging potential and long finishes.
The 2015 Willowbrook Kaufman Vineyard Pinot Noir is deep ruby in color, and loaded with aromas of cassis and sandalwood. On the palate the wine offers abundant and interwoven flavors of dark cherry, tobacco and allspice. The subtly smooth mouthfeel leads to a well-focused finish of complex, nutty tannins and gentle acidity. For those that know how important terroir is to Pinot, this wine beautifully shows off Sonoma Mountain's unique character.
Vintage: 2015
Appellation: Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: French Oak Barrels
Alcohol %: 14.4
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.
94 Points
Opens up with an aromatic burst of black cherry jam, wild huckleberry, and a hint of crushed espresso bean. On the palate, the fruit is lush and primary, but it's the secondary notes—toasted nutmeg, dark chocolate truffle, and the signature 'Dry Creek Dust'—that provide a long, savory finish.
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