2016 Soliste Renaissance Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., 45 cases, $85 ( available by allocation). The goal at Soliste is to focus on each specific clone of Pinot Noir that is best in harmony with each vineyard site: Single Vineyard, Single Clone, and Single Cooperage wines - Monoclone®. Claude Koeberle and Don Plumley have the dream to be in the conversation with the legendary Burgundies because they are the benchmarks that inspire and drive their madness. They feel that the 2016 vintage Soliste Pinot Noir wines are the most Burgundian of all the vintages produced to date. This wine is from The Sonatera Vineyard, specifically a few rows of vines that allowed to craft a deeper wine, pressing 50% whole cluster to create more layers without losing elegance. Claude remarked, “I have never tasted a Pinot Noir of such pedigree outside of my native Bourgogne.” Claude is prone to hyperbole but I am agreement with him with regards to this wine. I respect his palate, for Claude is a rare breed - a chef for over 50 years who co-owns restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles - and who has a unique, unlimited knowledge of and perhaps more important, a unmatched passion for Pinot Noir and its role at the dinner table.

Note: Because this is a very challenging time for wineries and restaurants, Soliste is currently selling two wines normally sold only to restaurants at restaurant direct-wholesale prices: 2014 Les Cailles Russian River Chardonnay and 2015 Narcisse Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, both $28. Les Cailles Chardonnay has only been sold to The French Laundry and Narcisse is the winery’s blend of Monoclone® Pinot Noir vineyards created specifically for restaurants. Visit www.soliste.com.

· Moderate garnet color in the glass. Soaring aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and spice. Richer than many Soliste Pinot Noir wines, but still nimble and coaxing on the palate, with flavors of black cherry and boysenberry. Substantial weight in the mouth, yet sleek and comforting, finding solace in a welcome contribution of oak and a finish that just won’t quit. Still generous when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating the potential for longevity. A truly extraordinary wine and one of the best I have ever tasted from this winery. Score: 97. Reviewed May 25, 2020

Winery: Soliste
From article: Recent Pinot Noir Wines I Have Enjoyed