The Sonatera Vineyard has established itself as one of the best Pinot Noir vineyards on the Sonoma Coast.

Sonatera produces some of the most balanced and powerful fruit we purchase. The four clones and five sections that we source at Sonatera ripened over an almost 4 week period. We were able to utilize whole clusters with some of the clones as the stems ripened fully thanks to the long hang time the site affords us. We also fermented the varying lots using a variety of different yeasts, including indigenous yeasts, and also in a variety of fermentors, ranging from small bins to larger tanks. The goal was to produce a more complex, more multi-facted wine.

Upon opening, the 2008 displays aromas of exotic herbs, stem inclusion, earth and menthol. As the wine opens up layers of black cherry, tobacco and anise are exposed. The tannins are perfect, slightly more than silky provide the grip that gives the wine structure and a long finish. The finish is polished off by the refreshing swipe of vibrant acidity. This wine will not doubt improve with some cellaring, but it may be hard to resist popping open bottles sooner rather than later.

Cases: 425
Released: April 2010