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
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
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