Vineyard: Toboni

OwnersJoe Toboni, Mary Toboni
AppellationRussian River Valley
StoryOwners Mary and Joe Toboni are fourth generation San Franciscans whose roots can be traced back to San Francisco as early as the 1870s and to Sonoma County before the 1920s.
Acres15
LocationJust off Olivet Lane.
VarietiesPinot Noir
Clones115, 667, 777, Pommard (UCD 5)

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Gary Farrell Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.69, 911 cases, $55. Released September 2017. The Toboni Oakwild Ranch Vineyard is located in the Santa Rosa Plain, just south of the winery. Clones 115, 667 and 777. Gently 100% de-stemmed, 4 to 7-day cold soak, 7 to 10-days post fermentation extended maceration, inoculated for malolactic fermentation and aged 10 months on the primary lees in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The aromas of black cherry, rose tea, and tobacco arrive very slowly over time in the glass. Discreet concentration of black cherry and boysenberry fruits accented with cola and piney oak. Ripe, balanced tannins are supportive, and the natural acidity adds vigor. The wine is definitely less sappy than its 2014 counterpart that has more staying power in the mouth and finish. Score: 90. Reviewed October 8, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Pellegrini Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $50. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose leads with aromas of black fruits and oak spice with unique notes of haystack and eucalyptus. Discreetly concentrated flavors of cherry, blueberry and blackberry framed by fine-grain tannins. Satisfying, but a bit shallow on the mid palate and finish. Forward drinking with admirable balance. Score: 89. Reviewed September 24, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Gary Farrell Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.65, 907 cases, $55. Released May 2016. Sourced from clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard planted in 2001. Aged 8 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. This wine packs more concentration than the color would indicate. I loved the aromatics, showing elevating scents of fresh Bing cherry, cola and potpourri. Richly endowed with flavors of dark cherry and black raspberry with a hint of baking spices, in a very friendly mid weight plus style that is beautifully composed and finishes with a memorable infusion of cleansing acidity and fruit. Way too easy to drink. Score: 94. Reviewed June 19, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Pellegrini Toboni Oakwild Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.47, TA 0.60, $45. Vineyard is adjacent Olivet Lane Vineyard with same soils. Clones are Pommard and Dijon 115, 667 and 777. Aged 14 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of savory dark fruits and sous-bois. Intense, sappy blackberry and cassis flavors with a meaty underpinning and refined tannins. As it was somewhat brooding upon opening, we decanted this wine and the luscious fruit really emerged with a boisterous statement. Score: 91-92. Reviewed April 20, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Gary Farrell Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.63, 694 cases, $55. Released May 2015. Toboni Oakwild Ranch is located in the Santa Rosa Plain. Planted in 2001 to 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. Partially de-stemmed, 5 to 7-day cold soak, 10 to 15- days extended maceration post fermentation, aged 9 months sur lies in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new. Racked off primary lees once just before bottling. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of dark red cherries and berries with many subtle nuances including spice, citrus zest, and wine cave. The nose becomes more generous over time in the glass and it is hard to take your nose away from the glass. The lively fruit flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and pomegranate are very seductive. The tannins are silky and the remarkably intense and lip-smacking finish resonates for at least a minute. Wines from this vineyard can be meaty and gamey, but this version is more fruity and vibrant. I guarantee you will love this wine. It is the best I have ever tasted from this vineyard. Score: 96. Reviewed May 14, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Arista Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.52, 168 cases. Released spring 2013. Vineyard located off Olivet Lane in the heart of the Russian River Valley across the street from Mononi Vineyard. 15 acres planted to 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. Owned and farmed by Mary and Joe Toboni. Aged in 35% new, 40% 1-year and 25% 2-year French oak barrels. · Aromas of red cherries, blueberries and complimentary oak. Mid weight red and blue fruit flavors with balanced tannins. Score: 89. Reviewed January 20, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Gary Farrell Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.38, TA 0.68, 408 cases, $55. Released May 2014. Partially de-stemmed, 5 to 7 day cold soak, 10 days of extended maceration post fermentation. Aged 9 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Racked off the primary lees once just before bottling. · Moderately dark reddish purple hue in the glass. Deep aromas of cherry, damp forest floor, marzipan and oak spice. Mid to full-bodied flavors of black cherry, plum and savory herbs. Very intense and fruity, with a numbing concentration of fruit on the finish which has a welcoming cut of acidity. Score: 90. Reviewed May 15, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Gary Farrell Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.64, 400 cases, $56. Released May 2013. From the Toboni Oakwild Ranch Vineyard planted in 2001 to clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard on 101-14 rootstock. Located in the Santa Rosa Plain, the site experiences sunny, warm days and morning fog. Soils are clay loam with some mineral and gravel composites. 100% de-stemmed, aged 8 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light red color in the glass. Appealing aromas of alpine strawberries, cherries and redwood forest. Light and straightforward, and well-crafted, but lacks bling. Red and blue fruits are featured backed by oak-driven notes of tea and spice, with very supply tannins. l have had enticing wines from this vineyard in the past, but the site underperformed in this difficult, cool vintage. Score: 88. Reviewed July 21, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Arista Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.54, 250 cases, $60. Released spring 2012. 15-acre vineyard planted to Dijon 115, 667 and 777, and Pommard 5. Mary and Joe Toboni are fourth generation San Franciscans whose roots can be traced back to San Francisco as early as the 1870s and to Sonoma County before the 1920s. Aged in 41% new, 33% 1-year and 26% 2-3-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of very ripe Bing cherries, black raspberries, and grilled plums. Deep black cherry and dark berry flavor with an underpinning of toasted oak and cola. Moderately rich with well balanced tannins and a silky mouth feel. Needs more time to shed some of the toasty oak on the finish. More intense cherry flavor the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good. Reviewed December 8, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Arista Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.63, 256 cases, $56. Released fall 2010. This 15-acre vineyard is located just off Olivet Lane and is planted to Dijon 115, 667, 777 and Pommard 5 clones. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Brooding nose with scents of dark fruits, raisin and cigar box. The most intensely fruity and tannic wine in the Arista lineup but retaining an appealing silky mouth feel. The berry, cassis, and plum flavors veer to the ripe and sweet side with oak char providing a backup note. Not shy, and quite flavorful. Very Good Reviewed December 16, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Waxwing Wine Cellars Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 55 cases, $30. Aged in 1 year-old French oak barrels. · Alluring aromas of Bing cherries, baking spice and sandalwood. Soft in the mouth with appealing elegant cherry pie flavors kissed gently by oak displaying a refreshing tang on the finish. A lighter-bodied wine that is almost ethereal and very easy to drink. The admirable acidity makes this wine a good food companion. Reviewed April 18, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Arista Toboni Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $50. For comparison purposes I sampled this wine at the same time to compare with the Waxwing. · Oak char dominates the nose and the delicate red fruits. A silky wine that drifts over the palate with fruit that is clearly stellar, but the oak is overwhelming. I prefer the Waxwing for its prettier fruit expression. Reviewed April 18, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »