Vineyard: MK

AppellationSonoma Coast
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Small Vines Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.58, 600 cases, $55. 100% estate grown and bottled with 40% of the grapes from TBH Vineyard. Includes irrigated vines and vines with smaller shoots. Clones include Calera, Pommard, Swan, 943, 459, 114, 115, 667 and 77. 35% whole cluster. Aged 12 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 23.5% new. Bottled unfined. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Well appointed nose with aromas of dark cherry, blue berry, spice and subtle oak toast. Mid weight plus core of dark red fruits framed by subtle oak and peach-skin tannins. Bright acidity, finishing with hearty fruit and a hint of citrus. Score: 90. Reviewed December 11, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Small Vines Estate Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.53, 383 cases, $65. The proprietor’s blend from Baranoff, Fassler, MK and TBH vineyards, all organically farmed by Small Vines Viticulture, Inc. All dry-farmed fruit. Pommard, “828,” 943, 459, and Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and 943. 100% free run. 50% whole cluster. Aged 17 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 20% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. A melange of red and blue fruits with a note of nutty nougat and pine show up on the inviting nose and the mid weight plus styled palate. A grand attack of black cherry goodness continues through a long finish glamorized with a haunting black cherry fragrance. The wine is well-structured and energized with good acidity predicting age ability. Score: 92. Reviewed December 11, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Small Vines MK Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.8%, pH 3.62, TA 0.56, RS 0.1 g/L, 44 cases, $82 (sold out). Vineyard planted by Small vines Viticulture, Inc in 1999 on an east-facing ridge above Occidental at 800 feet elevation, 10.5 miles from the coast. Harvest Brix 22.5º. 5-day cold soak, 45% whole cluster native yeast fermentation. All free run juice. Aged 15 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 33% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Complex aromatic profile including underbrush, cherry, dark rose petal, and gingerbread spices. The dark cherry fruit is accented with a savory herbal, floral and forestry background theme. Silky in the mouth, with redeeming acidity. Score: 93. Reviewed December 11, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Small Vines Estate Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.72, TA 0.55, RS 0.5 g/L, 360 cases, $65. A proprietor’s blend of favorite barrels from Baranoff, Fassler, Old Mill, MK and TBH vineyards. Organically farmed by Small Vines Viticulture. 2722-3630 vines per acre planted in red sandy clay loam and Goldridge sandy loam. Yields 1.0-2.0 lbs per vine. Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and 943. Harvest Brix 22.9º-24.8º. 50% whole cluster. 3 to 5-day cold soak, on skins 14-21 days, native primary fermentation and malolactic fermentation. 100% free run aged 15 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 37.5% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Clean aromas of forest air, black cherry and hay bale. On the palate, the wine aims to please with forward leaning flavors of black cherry, plum and pomegranate accented with sweet oak. The whole cluster inclusion compliments the experience. The tannins are balanced and the easy-going, sleek finish satisfies. This is an entirely different experience than the Sonoma Coast bottling because of clonal differences. Score: 91. Reviewed August 16, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Small Vines MK Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.54, RS 0.4 g/ L, 171 cases, $82. Released August 2016. Vineyard planted by Small Vines Viticulture in 1999 on an east facing ridge above Occidental. Organically farmed using biodynamic practices. 4 feet x 4 feet vine spacing (2722 vines per acre). Yields 2.5 lbs per vine. Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777. Harvest Brix 22.7º-23.1º Brix. 50% whole cluster. 5-day cold soak, native primary and malolactic fermentations, pre and post fermentation maceration, aged 15 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 43% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. A wine of immense charm with aromas of black cherry, spice, loam, and savory herbs and an explosion of plum, black raspberry, iron and spice flavors on the prodigious attack. Exemplary harmony with matched tannins and a glorious finish. Still impressive the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This wine has something extra special. Score: 94. Reviewed August 16, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Small Vines Wines Estate Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.54, 383 cases, $N/A. About 56% Baranoff Vineyard, 25% Old Mill Vineyard, 12.5% MK Vineyard, and 6% Barlow Homestead Vineyard. Organically farmed by Small Vines Viticulture, Inc.. Clones are Dijon 113, 114, 115, 459, 667, 777, Swan, Calera and Pommard. Native yeast fermentation and native ML. 27% whole cluster. Aged 15 months on fine lees in 31% new French oak. 100% free run. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark berry pie and sweet oak lead to a mid weight core of flavorful cherry, raspberry, ollaliberry and spice. Admirable integration of oak and complimentary tannins make for easy drinking. A forward-drinking wine that aims to please with a soft mouthfeel and a finishing spurt of rich fruit goodness. Score: 92. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Small Vines Wines MK Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.72, TA 0.52, 143 cases, $65. Released August 5, 2014. Vineyard planted in 1999 by Small Vines on an eastern-facing ridge above Occidental. Farmed organically using biodynamic practices. Clones 114, 115, 667 and 777. Native yeast fermentation and native MLF. 25% whole cluster. Aged 15 months on fine lees in 45% new French oak. 100% free run. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. A well-endowed wine offering bright scents of cherry, black raspberry, earthy flora and a hint of bark, and very tasty flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, cola and spice. Very polished and beautifully balanced with a healthy structure for aging. The wine finishes with a charge of deep black raspberry goodness. Score: 92. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Small Vines MK Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.78, TA 0.54, 143 cases, $65. Dijon clones 114, 115, 667 and 777. Native yeast fermentations, aged 15 months in 50% new French oak. 100% free run. · Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromas of mixed berry compote, shrub and oiled wood. Moderately rich core of darker berries with a hint of old wood and stem, fashioned in an elegant style, yet displaying a healthy tannic presence. Better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with better integration of tannins. Needs more time in the cellar. Very good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Small Vines MK Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 150 cases, $65. 10.5 miles from the ocean, this temperate site was planted in 1999 and has been farmed organically since 2006 with added biodynamic practices since 2007. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Appealing aromas of dark berry jam, black plums and oak. Lovely flavors of dark red and black Pinot fruits, building in intensity with time in the glass, and finishing with impressive grand cru persistence of aromatic black cherries. Still young, but the pedigree of the fruit really stands out and it is hard to resist now. More intensely flavored and expressive the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed November 2, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »