May 5, 2013
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Bailiwick Wines
| Owner(s) | Bryan Vais, Paul Vais |
| Web site | www.bailiwickwines.com |
| Link to this site |
Once in awhile a new producer seemingly comes out of nowhere and really impresses me. Four bottles of 2009 Bailiwick Pinot Noir recently showed up on my wine locker doorstep with no explanation attached. I was drawn to the attractive labels and the interesting sources for the wines. All the wines turned out to be stellar: it was like a gift from heaven.
After consulting the website, I found that brothers Paul and Bryan Vais, natives of the San Francisco Bay Area, are the founders and vintners. They have been making wine in their basement and various garages for 25 years, acquiring the knowledge to launch a commercial venture. They had successful careers in engineering, high technology and finance, but longed to enter the wine business. In 2009, they founded Bailiwick Wine Company, intent on sourcing from specially chosen vineyards across multiple appellations.
The four 2009 Pinot Noirs and a 2010 Vermentino are the inaugural releases and are available through the winery's website store. This is definitely a winery to keep tabs on.
Articles About Bailiwick Wines
Reviewed Wines
2010 Bailiwick Borderline Marin County Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.56, 100 cases, $36.
Sourced solely from the Kendric Vineyard farmed by Stewart Johnson. Clones 115 and 777. Aged in
50% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. A panoply of scents
including black cherries, pie berries, clay, oak, and white chocolate that come and go in the glass.
Strikingly fresh berry flavor, seemingly wild and exotic, underlain with well-integrated oak and supple
tannins. Unusually ripe for cool Marin County. An evocative middleweight, that enters with aplomb,
and finishes smooth and polished. I really like this Pinot.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.81, TA 0.62, 350 cases, $36. Drawn from
three vineyards (41% Dutton-Lorenzo, 46% O’Neel, 13% RLR). Several clones including 115, 667, 777 and
Pommard. Aged in 35% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This is
quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot dialed back in intensity: unplugged if you will. Initially shy aromas
pick up intensity over the time in the glass offering scents of Bing cherries and baking spices. Delicious, deep
cherry flavor on a silky framework in an intensely flavored, mid weight, elegant style, finishing with an
appealing slinkiness. Silky tannins make for immediate accessibility. Very good.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.64, 270 cases, $36. Sourced from the
Ross Ranch Vineyard, located in the hills southwest of Sebastopol. Goldridge sandy loam soil. Clones 115
and Pommard. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
Light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Vibrant aromas of
fresh red fruits, especially cherry glaze, with notes of spice, sandalwood and toasty oak. Explodes on the
palate with melt in your mouth, perfectly ripe cherries accented by dark chocolate and spice. Very smoothly
textured with gossamer tannins and noticeable persistence on the fruit-filled finish. Shows the most oak
influence of all the Bailiwick wines this vintage, but it is not intrusive. Very good (+).
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Foray Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc.,
pH 3.66, TA 0.53, 140 cases, $40. From The RLR vineyard located
just outside Forestville. Soil is Goldridge sandy loam and clones are
113, 114 and 115. Aged in 33% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately
light reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of earth-kissed
black cherries, forest floor and deep red rose petals. Richer and
more deeply flavored than the Russian River Valley bottling, endowed
with a perfectly ripe core of sappy, dark red and black cherries and raspberries,
supported by smooth oak and fruit tannins, and finishing with very impressive
length. Still young and undeveloped, but displaying impeccable balance that
predicts an optimistic future. Clearly special.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Michaud Vineyard Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.64, 120
cases, $44. This vineyard sits at 1600’ above the Salinas Valley floor at the entrance to the Pinnacles National
Monument. Decomposed granite and limestone are at the surface. Farmed by Michael Michaud, a former
winemaker for Chalone during its glory years. Clones 115, 667, 777 and Swan. Aged in 40% new French oak
barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Delicate aromas of fresh blueberry-pomegranate
juice and assorted dark fruits. Somewhat earthy, burly and rustic, displaying a hearty core of delicious purple
and black fruits backed by ripe, firm tannins. A very elegant presentation that is unusual for this vineyard in my
experience. Highly terroir-driven. Very good.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Silver Pines Vineyard Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.64,140 cases, $44. Growers are Norm and
Carole Silverman. The vineyard overlooks Bennett Valley from an
elevation of 900 feet. Planted in 2000, the loamy-clay volcanic soil is
low in vigor limiting yields to about 2 tons per acre. Clone 115. Aged in
34% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in
the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark red fruits, cardamom
spice and candied rose petal. Juicy red cherries and berries saturate
the mid palate, embellished with spice and magic. Healthy, but non-aggressive
fine-grain tannins add grip and support. Still young and takes its own sweet time
opening up. Tremendous finishing power with fruit coming and going in waves. Cellar this another year or two
and you will be happily infatuated.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
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
ARTICLE »
2009 Bailiwick Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.64,
225 cases, $36. 57% Maurice Galante Vineyard located in the Green Valley of
Russian River Valley and 43% O’Neel Vineyard situated in the Santa Rosa plain.
Clones are 115, 777 and Pommard. Aged 17 months in 20% new French oak
barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Enticing aromas of
dark red cherries, berry jam on toast and wooded forest. Medium-weighted
flavors of fresh cherries, cola, and leaf framed by soft tannins and bright acidity,
finishing with some persistence on the pleasing finish. Not impressive on the
attack, but leaves a good impression. Good (+).
Reviewed November 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Bailiwick Michaud Vineyard Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.62, 50 cases, $44. This vineyard is situated at 1,500
feet above the Salinas Valley floor at the front door of the Pinnacles National
Monument. Decomposed granite and limestone create a soil profile ideal for
Pinot Noir. Farmed by noted winemaker and winegrower Michael Michaud, the
masterful vintner behind some of the memorable Chalone Pinot Noirs of the
1980s. Aged 17 months in 50% new French oak. The microclimate is
challenging, offering little rainfall and extreme diurnal temperature variations.
Crop yields are painfully low.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely
endowed perfume of blackberries, plum reduction sauce and Herbs de Provence. Delicious black raspberry
and blackberry core that is intense on the attack, finding every nook and cranny in the mouth, and persisting on
the earth-kissed, chocolaty finish. Clean and pure, with bold tannins that are typical for this vineyard. Very
good (+).
Reviewed November 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Bailiwick Silver Pines Vineyard Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.63, 50 cases, $44. This vineyard is located at
900 feet elevation overlooking Bennett Valley on the northwestern flank
of Sonoma Mountain. Clone 115 planted in 2000 by owners Norm and
Carole Silverman. Loamy-clay soil is low in vigor, naturally limiting
yields to about 2 tons per acre. Aged 17 months in 30% new French
oak barrels.
·
Moderately light in color. The nose is redolent of fresh
berry jam, spice box and subtle oak that really draws your attention. Sinfully
delicious flavors of fresh-picked dark red berries with a complimentary oak
(vanilla, coffee) underpinning, leaving an impression on the vibrant and dry,
berry-relish toned finish. A charming wine that combines power with finesse. My tasting notes say, “Wow,” and
that clearly sums it up.
Reviewed November 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Borderline Marin County Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.56, 100 cases, $36. Sourced solely from the Kendric Vineyard farmed by Stewart Johnson. Clones 115 and 777. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. A panoply of scents including black cherries, pie berries, clay, oak, and white chocolate that come and go in the glass. Strikingly fresh berry flavor, seemingly wild and exotic, underlain with well-integrated oak and supple tannins. Unusually ripe for cool Marin County. An evocative middleweight, that enters with aplomb, and finishes smooth and polished. I really like this Pinot. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.81, TA 0.62, 350 cases, $36. Drawn from three vineyards (41% Dutton-Lorenzo, 46% O’Neel, 13% RLR). Several clones including 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. Aged in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This is quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot dialed back in intensity: unplugged if you will. Initially shy aromas pick up intensity over the time in the glass offering scents of Bing cherries and baking spices. Delicious, deep cherry flavor on a silky framework in an intensely flavored, mid weight, elegant style, finishing with an appealing slinkiness. Silky tannins make for immediate accessibility. Very good. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.64, 270 cases, $36. Sourced from the Ross Ranch Vineyard, located in the hills southwest of Sebastopol. Goldridge sandy loam soil. Clones 115 and Pommard. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Vibrant aromas of fresh red fruits, especially cherry glaze, with notes of spice, sandalwood and toasty oak. Explodes on the palate with melt in your mouth, perfectly ripe cherries accented by dark chocolate and spice. Very smoothly textured with gossamer tannins and noticeable persistence on the fruit-filled finish. Shows the most oak influence of all the Bailiwick wines this vintage, but it is not intrusive. Very good (+). Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Foray Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.53, 140 cases, $40. From The RLR vineyard located just outside Forestville. Soil is Goldridge sandy loam and clones are 113, 114 and 115. Aged in 33% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of earth-kissed black cherries, forest floor and deep red rose petals. Richer and more deeply flavored than the Russian River Valley bottling, endowed with a perfectly ripe core of sappy, dark red and black cherries and raspberries, supported by smooth oak and fruit tannins, and finishing with very impressive length. Still young and undeveloped, but displaying impeccable balance that predicts an optimistic future. Clearly special. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Michaud Vineyard Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.64, 120 cases, $44. This vineyard sits at 1600’ above the Salinas Valley floor at the entrance to the Pinnacles National Monument. Decomposed granite and limestone are at the surface. Farmed by Michael Michaud, a former winemaker for Chalone during its glory years. Clones 115, 667, 777 and Swan. Aged in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Delicate aromas of fresh blueberry-pomegranate juice and assorted dark fruits. Somewhat earthy, burly and rustic, displaying a hearty core of delicious purple and black fruits backed by ripe, firm tannins. A very elegant presentation that is unusual for this vineyard in my experience. Highly terroir-driven. Very good. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Bailiwick Silver Pines Vineyard Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.64,140 cases, $44. Growers are Norm and Carole Silverman. The vineyard overlooks Bennett Valley from an elevation of 900 feet. Planted in 2000, the loamy-clay volcanic soil is low in vigor limiting yields to about 2 tons per acre. Clone 115. Aged in 34% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark red fruits, cardamom spice and candied rose petal. Juicy red cherries and berries saturate the mid palate, embellished with spice and magic. Healthy, but non-aggressive fine-grain tannins add grip and support. Still young and takes its own sweet time opening up. Tremendous finishing power with fruit coming and going in waves. Cellar this another year or two and you will be happily infatuated. Reviewed October 26, 2012 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 ARTICLE »
2009 Bailiwick Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.64, 225 cases, $36. 57% Maurice Galante Vineyard located in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley and 43% O’Neel Vineyard situated in the Santa Rosa plain. Clones are 115, 777 and Pommard. Aged 17 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Enticing aromas of dark red cherries, berry jam on toast and wooded forest. Medium-weighted flavors of fresh cherries, cola, and leaf framed by soft tannins and bright acidity, finishing with some persistence on the pleasing finish. Not impressive on the attack, but leaves a good impression. Good (+). Reviewed November 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Bailiwick Michaud Vineyard Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.62, 50 cases, $44. This vineyard is situated at 1,500 feet above the Salinas Valley floor at the front door of the Pinnacles National Monument. Decomposed granite and limestone create a soil profile ideal for Pinot Noir. Farmed by noted winemaker and winegrower Michael Michaud, the masterful vintner behind some of the memorable Chalone Pinot Noirs of the 1980s. Aged 17 months in 50% new French oak. The microclimate is challenging, offering little rainfall and extreme diurnal temperature variations. Crop yields are painfully low. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely endowed perfume of blackberries, plum reduction sauce and Herbs de Provence. Delicious black raspberry and blackberry core that is intense on the attack, finding every nook and cranny in the mouth, and persisting on the earth-kissed, chocolaty finish. Clean and pure, with bold tannins that are typical for this vineyard. Very good (+). Reviewed November 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Bailiwick Silver Pines Vineyard Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.63, 50 cases, $44. This vineyard is located at 900 feet elevation overlooking Bennett Valley on the northwestern flank of Sonoma Mountain. Clone 115 planted in 2000 by owners Norm and Carole Silverman. Loamy-clay soil is low in vigor, naturally limiting yields to about 2 tons per acre. Aged 17 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light in color. The nose is redolent of fresh berry jam, spice box and subtle oak that really draws your attention. Sinfully delicious flavors of fresh-picked dark red berries with a complimentary oak (vanilla, coffee) underpinning, leaving an impression on the vibrant and dry, berry-relish toned finish. A charming wine that combines power with finesse. My tasting notes say, “Wow,” and that clearly sums it up. Reviewed November 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
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