VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

Search This Site:

Vineyard: Chileno Valley

AppellationMarin County
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2019 Ellen Redding Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 125 cases, $42. Sourced from two sites: Azaya Vineyard in Hicks Valley and the Chileno Valley Vineyard. Azaya Vineyard was planted to clones 667, 777, faux 828, and 115 by the duo Mark Pasternak (Devil’s Gulch Ranch) and Dan Goldfield (Dutton-Goldfield Winery). Chileno Valley Vineyard is a windswept site only 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean and also farmed by Mark Pasternak. 7-day cold soak, 1/3 whole cluster, native primary and secondary fermentations. Aged in neutral and once-used French oak barrels. Moderate garnet color in the glass. Giving aromas of cherry, boysenberry and toasty oak. A well-spiced core of cherry fruit is accompanied by tastes of cola and tobacco. Nice fruit sap but surprisingly more oak overlay considering the use of neutral and once-used barrels unless the whole cluster is responsible. · Score: 92. Reviewed April 25, 2022 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Brooks Note Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.63, 200 cases, $36. A blend of grapes from Azaya Ranch (clones are Wädenswil 2A, 115, 667 and “”828.”) and Chileno Valley Vineyard (Pommard and “828.”). 10% whole cluster. 3-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 33% new, 33% once-filled and 33% neutral. Filtered and bottled in February 2017. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose is highly rewarding, featuring deep aromas of cherry, rose petal and baking spice. Regal and silky in the mouth, with a core of dark chocolate covered black cherry flavor enhanced with an earthy tone. Seamless, with a pleasing cherry-driven finish. Score: 93. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Ellen Redding Marin County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 120 cases, $36. Sourced from Chileno Valley Vineyard, located in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Dijon clones 667, 777 and 115. 33% whole cluster, 7-day cold soak, native primary and secondary ferments, aged in two once-used and three neutral French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Very expressive aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, warm spice, vanilla and brioche. Delicious mid weight plus for of sweet black fruits rounded out with tastes of spice, cola, dark chocolate, black tea and toast. Velvety in the mouth with a hedonistic slant but enough tannins and oak to corral the rich fruit core. This wine grew in appeal when tasted later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and I could not stop drinking it. My notes say, “great.” You won’t find a better California Pinot Noir in the marketplace at this price. Score: 95. Reviewed January 6, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Brooks Note Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.68, 250 cases, $36. A blend from Chileno Valley Vineyard (46%) and Azaya Ranch Vineyard (54%). Clones are Wädenswil 2A, Dijon 115 and 667 (Azaya Ranch) and Pommard and “828” (Chileno Valley). About 10% whole cluster. 3-day cold soak, native yeast inaugurated fermentation, aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 27% new, 27% once-filled and 46% neutral. Bottled March 2016. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. I had to dig deep to pull out the shy aromas of earthembossed cherry, plum, boysenberry, fall forest floor, and floral bouquet. Light to mid weight in style, with flavors of plum, red and purple berry and pomegranate. Sleek in the mouth, with supportive tannins, and good lift and juiciness. Forward drinking and pleasing. A very attractive value. Score: 90. Reviewed January 16, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Couloir Wines Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc.,197 cases, $44. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Like a walk in a forest after a rain, featuring aromas of cedar, pine and sandalwood along with crushed wild berries off the vine. Delightfully composed, with middleweight flavors of boysenberry and dark raspberry along with a touch of smoke. Very fine-grain tannins create a sensual texture and the wine finishes with a dazzling array of berry flavors. Score: 92. Reviewed August 16, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Dutton Goldfield Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County Riesling

13.2% alc., 380 cases, pH 3.31, TA 0.56, residual sugar dry, $30. From a dry farmed vineyard planted by the Corda family in 1991 to several varieties. When Mark Pasternak took over the farming, he budded everything to Pinot Noir except for 4 acres of Riesling. Harvest in two picks - one on October 22 and one on November 26. 100% stainless steel fermented. · Pale yellow color and clear in the glass. Lovely aromas of peach, grapefruit and a touch of floral goodness. Juicy and flavorful, featuring crisp notes of citrus and white peach with some pleasingly discreet richness, slight creaminess, and a bone dry finish. Delightful. Score: 90. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Brooks Note Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.69, 250 cases, $36. Sourced from Chileno Valley Vineyard (46%) and Azaya Ranch Vineyard (54%), both located on the Marin side of the Petaluma Gap. 10% whole cluster. 3-day cold soak, native yeast initiated fermentation, aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 27% new, 27% once-filled and 46% neutral. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic with effusive aromas of black cherry, savory herbs and cardamom spice. The mid weight flavors of cherry, black plum, black tea and star anise are inviting, and nicely accented with a touch of toasty oak. Good freshness with an underlying savory tone, very modest tannins, and a finish fueled by cherry and raspberry aromatic goodness. Score: 90. Reviewed April 20, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Couloir Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 194 cases, $44. 35%whole cluster. Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderately deep red color in the glass. The nose really perks up the senses with flamboyant aromas of red cherry and boysenberry. Expansive and layered on the palate, with impressive attack and finish featuring flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and spice. Amazing fruit intensity for Marin County and spectacular phenolic ripeness at a relatively low ABV. A very pleasing wine with balanced tannins and acidity, a silky texture, and an intense finish featuring sweet black cherry and berry flavors with real length. Score: 94. Reviewed May 14, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Bailiwick Borderline Marin County Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 300 cases, $28. Sourced from Kendric and Chileno Valley vineyards. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Bright berry fruit aromas with hints of toast and herbs. Light to mid weight spice cherry and strawberry essence with a compliment of oak and a savory herb note in the background. Soft in the mouth, with supple tannins, a good cut of acidity, and very respectable finishing richness. An elegant, feminine wine that embraces the gentle side of Pinot Noir. Score: 90. Reviewed November 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Bailiwick Borderline Marin County Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.64, 225 cases, $28. Sourced from Kendric and Chileno Valley vineyards which lie along the southern edge of the Petaluma Gap. Clones 777 and 667. 100% de-stemmed, post-fermentation maceration for several weeks, aged 8 months in 36% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish color in the glass. Aromas of oak-dusted cherries and black tea flow from the glass and hold up over time. Upfront, crisp and pleasant with flavors of cherry, red licorice and tarry oak. Score: 87. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Easkoot Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., 350 cases, $39. Vineyard is six miles from the Pacific Ocean and bathed in nightly fog. Harvest Brix 22.5º. Clones 777, 115 and unknown. 20% whole cluster. Indgenous fermentation. Aged in 20% new Marcel Cadet French oak barrels. Winemaker Matt Duffy. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. The aromas are a bit different and interesting with notes of candied cherry, blood orange, spice, lilac and vanilla cream. Medium to full-bodied core of black cherry fruit with impressive mid palate attack and finish. Slightly earthy with hints of cola and oak. More body and structure than many Marin County Pinot Noirs, with commendable harmony, finishing slick and clean. Very good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 McNeil & Sons Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., about 75 cases, $60. Clones 667, 777 and Pommard. Yields 1.25 tons per acre. Native fermentation, 50% whole cluster. Winemaker is Jon Grant (Couloir). · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of warm cherry cobbler, green tea leaf, toast and subtle stem. Nicely flavored with juicy, mid weight dark cherry and raspberry fruits with a hint of cardamom spice and oak in the background. Welcoming finesse with balanced tannins and appealing tension. Score: 90. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Couloir Chileno Valley Marin County Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., TA 0.56, 93 cases, $38. The vineyard is situated on the southern border of the Petaluma Gap and is influenced by the Pacific Ocean to the west and San Pablo Bay to the south. Very long growing season. 50% whole cluster. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 10 months in 25% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy fruit aromas with a prominent floral perfume including jasmine. An austere wine that is light on the palate, offering demure flavors of red cherries and berries with a mineral and vegetal note in the background. The acidity really dominates the finish. Just not enough flavor here to please the California palate and the whole cluster has dealt an unappealing vegetal note to the wine. Decent. Reviewed July 5, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Bailiwick Borderline Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.52, TA 0.62, 150 cases, $34. Sourced from Chileno Valley and Kendric vineyards in the Marin County AVA. Chileno Valley Vineyard is farmed by Mark Pasternak (owner of Devil’s Gulch Ranch and Vineyard) and Kendric Vineyards is managed by Stewart Johnson (Kendric Vineyards wines). Swan selection, Dijon and Pommard clones. Aged 17 months in 44% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with cherries, strawberries, spice and dried rose petals. Red-fruited, featuring lighter-weight flavors of cherries, raspberries, sandalwood, baking spice, leaf and tobacco. Crisp, with good acidity and polished fine-grain tannins. Very good. Reviewed November 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

© 2003-2023 Rusty Gaffney MD | Contact the Prince: Prince@PrinceOfPinot.com | Admin Login