January 25, 2012
|
|
Dragonette Cellars
| Owner(s) | John Dragonette, Steve Dragonette, Brandon Sparks-Gills |
| Web site | www.dragonettecellars.com |
| Link to this site |
Dragonette Cellars is a partnership between brothers John and Steve Dragonette and close friend Brandon Sparks-Gillis. The three spent a number of years learning the wine business through tasting, wine sales and winemaking under the tutelage of respected winemakers. To pursue their dream of making wine in the Santa Ynez Valley, they moved their families (a combined three spouses, three children, three dogs, and a cat) to the Valley, to be close to the land and its bounty. 2005 was the first commercial vintage for Dragonette Cellars which is a hands-on operation.
The wines (there is a Rosé, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc available as well) are sold through a mailing list with limited retail distribution. The Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Pinot Noir is especially notable.
Articles About Dragonette Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2009 Dragonnette Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 225 cases, $42. 45% La Encantada, 38%
Kessler-Haak, 14% Cargasacchi-Jalama and 3% Fiddlestix vineyards. Average yield 1.8 tons per acre. 100%
de-stemmed, 4 to 7 day cold soak, native and commercial yeast fermentation, aged 15 months in 33% new
French oak barrels.
·
A well-assembled appellation wine that speaks of the region. A little savory, a little fruity
with complimentary oak in the background, finishing long with intense black cherry and berry fruit and hi-tone
acidity. Good (+).
Reviewed March 12, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Dragonette Cellars Hilliard-Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 100 cases, $48.
The Hilliard-Bruce Vineyard is located at the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, one-half mile west of Clos Pepe, and is the first vineyard to
be planted in the AVA with close spacing. Planting began in 2005. Clones are 115 and 777. 100% de-stemmed,
7-day cold soak, native and commercial yeast fermentation, aged for 15 months in 25% new French
oak barrels, bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Darker cherry and berry fruit is nicely spiced and encased in grainy
tannins giving a mouth feel with textural interest. A delicious, seductive wine that is surprisingly well-raised
despite the young vines. This meticulously farmed vineyard is fast becoming a superstar in the region.
Very good (+).
Reviewed March 12, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Drangonette Cellars Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 100 cases.
·
A direct and tasty wine
featuring a melange of berries and a hint of citrus on the refreshing finish. Soft in the mouth, discreetly
weighted, and easy to drink. Good.
Reviewed April 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Dragonette Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 144 cases, $45.
Sourced from both Fiddlestix and Gaia (Ashley’s) vineyards. Clones 113, 114,
115, 777 and Pommard. The grapes were hand-harvested in the cool early
morning hours over several days in September, de-stemmed without crushing,
meticulously sorted, cold soaked for 4 to 7 days, then each block was fermented
separately over a 14 to 30 day period depending on the lot. Aged on the lees for
17 months in 50% new French cooperage before being bottled unfined and
unfiltered.
·
Toasty oak dominated black fruit aromas with scents of Provencal
herbs. Oak-spiced black cherry and black raspberry flavors which fan out on the
palate nicely. Soft, fruity and pure with admirable finesse, finely ground tannins
and a long, scented finish.
Reviewed October 1, 2008
ARTICLE »
2009 Dragonnette Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 225 cases, $42. 45% La Encantada, 38% Kessler-Haak, 14% Cargasacchi-Jalama and 3% Fiddlestix vineyards. Average yield 1.8 tons per acre. 100% de-stemmed, 4 to 7 day cold soak, native and commercial yeast fermentation, aged 15 months in 33% new French oak barrels. · A well-assembled appellation wine that speaks of the region. A little savory, a little fruity with complimentary oak in the background, finishing long with intense black cherry and berry fruit and hi-tone acidity. Good (+). Reviewed March 12, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Dragonette Cellars Hilliard-Bruce Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 100 cases, $48. The Hilliard-Bruce Vineyard is located at the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, one-half mile west of Clos Pepe, and is the first vineyard to be planted in the AVA with close spacing. Planting began in 2005. Clones are 115 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 7-day cold soak, native and commercial yeast fermentation, aged for 15 months in 25% new French oak barrels, bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Darker cherry and berry fruit is nicely spiced and encased in grainy tannins giving a mouth feel with textural interest. A delicious, seductive wine that is surprisingly well-raised despite the young vines. This meticulously farmed vineyard is fast becoming a superstar in the region. Very good (+). Reviewed March 12, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Drangonette Cellars Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 100 cases. · A direct and tasty wine featuring a melange of berries and a hint of citrus on the refreshing finish. Soft in the mouth, discreetly weighted, and easy to drink. Good. Reviewed April 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Dragonette Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 144 cases, $45. Sourced from both Fiddlestix and Gaia (Ashley’s) vineyards. Clones 113, 114, 115, 777 and Pommard. The grapes were hand-harvested in the cool early morning hours over several days in September, de-stemmed without crushing, meticulously sorted, cold soaked for 4 to 7 days, then each block was fermented separately over a 14 to 30 day period depending on the lot. Aged on the lees for 17 months in 50% new French cooperage before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Toasty oak dominated black fruit aromas with scents of Provencal herbs. Oak-spiced black cherry and black raspberry flavors which fan out on the palate nicely. Soft, fruity and pure with admirable finesse, finely ground tannins and a long, scented finish. Reviewed October 1, 2008 ARTICLE »
TRAVEL ALONG THE PINOT TRAIL | PINOT FESTIVALS | PODCASTS AND VIDEO | TESTIMONIALS | GRAPE RADIO | LINKS
© 2003-2011 Rusty Gaffney MD | Contact the Prince: Prince@PrinceOfPinot.com