Vineyard: Thorn Ridge

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.24 6/9/2018)
Pali Wine Co. Spans the Entire Northwest Pinot Trail (7.21 7/9/2009)
Recent Sips of California Pinot Noir (11.1 3/29/2017)
Recent California Winery Visits & Tastings (9.43 7/19/2014)
Ten Year Vertical of Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (9.29 9/5/2013)
Talisman: Pinots from the Edge (8.7 12/16/2009)
Sensations (6.61 7/7/2008)
Prince’s Excellent Adventure at WOPN (6.56 3/23/2008)
Adventures Along the Pinot Trail, Part 3 (6.34 7/30/2007)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Wines (11.3 5/6/2017)
Pinot Noir Shootout Favorites (6.13 1/22/2007)
Inman Family Winery: Constantly Evolving (9.21 3/23/2013)
Recently Tasted California Wines (11.48 7/17/2019)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

D’Argenzio Winery
Inman Family Winery
LaRue
Freeman Vineyard & Winery
Pali Wine Co.
Talisman

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 LaRue Thorn Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., $ Allocated. Vineyard is planted west of the town of Sebastopol and 60is farmed by Ted Klopp and his daughter Lauren. Sourced from two blocks planted in Goldridge sandy loam soils to Pommard and 115 clones. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Forward aromas of dark cherry and gentle oak are enticing. A mid weight plus styled wine with features of black cherry and blueberry and a complimentary, subtle earthy tone. A little more ripeness and concentration than the Rice-Spivak bottling but equally enamoring. Commendable balance with a satiny mouthfeel. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed July 20, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 LaRue Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $60. A blend of Rice-Spivak and Thorn Ridge vineyards. Dijon clones and Swan selection (Rice-Spivak) and 20-year-old Pommard and 115 clones (Thorn Ridge). · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Fruit aromas of cherry and red berry along with the herbal character of whole cluster. Dark red and black cherry fruit flavors along with spice and savory herbs are featured in this mid weight styled wine. The wine is shot through with acidity creating plenty of energy. Score: 90. Reviewed July 20, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 LaRue Thorn Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 100 cases, $70. Released March 2018. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Both red cherry and red berry fruit aromas along with earthy flora and mushroom aromas combine beautifully on the inviting nose. Comforting in the mouth, with good harmony, in a mid weight style featuring dark red fruit and savory herb flavors. The very long finish is notable for its generosity and refreshing cut. Score: 93. Reviewed June 9, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Freeman Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 1,008 cases, $44. The largest part of this wine comes from the winery’s Gloria Estate Vineyard and includes all five clones planted there (Calera, Pommard, Martini, Swan and 115). There were also contributions from Thorn Ridge Vineyard (Swan clone) and Sexton Vineyard (clone 2A). Only a few barrels of Keefer Ranch contributed due to low yields in that vineyard. 5-day cold soak in open-top fermenters, hand punch downs, free run juice sent directly to barrel, press wine barreled separately. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Complex nose that builds over time in the glass offering aromas of cherry cola, blueberry, sous-bois, baking spices, grape must and timber. Cherry driven with accents of oak and spice and nicely composed with balanced tannins and modest finishing power. Rather elegant and aims to please in a typical Russian River Valley style. Score: 89. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 LaRue Thorn Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., 50 cases, $70. This vineyard is is farmed by Ted Klopp who also farms Klopp Ranch Vineyard. This wine is a blend of Pommard and 115 clones planted in Goldridge sandy loam soils. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of ripe berries, black cherry, spice and fertile earth lead to a middleweight fashioned wine with a solid grip of black cherry and black raspberry fruits. Very engaging on the mid palate and finish, with a silk and satin mouthfeel, a deft touch of oak, and up lifting acidity on the WOW finish. Noticeably better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 94. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

350 cases. 23% Sexton, 18% Campbell, 18% La Cruz, 11% Rayhill, 6% Thorn Ridge, 6% Jones, 6% Keefer, 6% Harmony Lane, and 6% O’Connor. · Modest reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of darker fruits with hints of oak spice and rose petals. Dances on the lean side, but still quite flavorful, featuring both red and black berry notes finishing with focus and purpose. Will need more time to integrate the vanilla-infused oak and fully express itself. The characteristic finesse showed by the Akiko’s Cuvée wines is apparent. An impressive effort in this difficult vintage. Drink or hold mid term. Score: 91. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Inman Family Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

600 cases. Bottled for the Stanford Alumni wine program. A blend of OGV and Thorn Ridge vineyards. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Very crisp, smooth and easy to like, with vivid flavors of red cherry, cola and spice wrapped in supportive tannins. Score: 89. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Inman Family Winery Thorn Ridge Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $68, screwcap. 100% de-stemmed. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Invigorating aromatics of Bing cherry and spice. Soft and smooth on the mid palate with vivacious flavors of dark cherry, strawberry and raspberry with a hint of herbs in the background. Some tannins surface on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

325 cases. 23% O’Connor, 18% Campbell, 14% Connell, 14% Thorn Ridge, 9% Gunsalus, 9% Rayhill, 5% Sexton, 4% Bacigalupi, and 4% Harmony Lane. Aged 11 months in 27% new, 27% 1-year-old and 46% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Very lovely aromas of Bing cherry pie filling, baking spices, and a hint of oak. This exceptional wine has it all: a soft, silky texture, vivid cherry and raspberry fruit expression, very suave tannins, uplifting acidity, beautifully married oak, and overall, an appealing delicacy. A thing of beauty. Drink or hold long term. Score: 95. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

312 cases. 41% Guidici, 29% Sexton, 12% Rayhill, 6% Thorn Ridge, 6% Bacigalupi, and 6% Spring Hill. Aged 11 months in 41% new, 35% 1-year-old and 24% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The bright aromas of black cherries, spice and seasoned oak leap from the glass. Racy, discreetly concentrated dark red fruits are complimented by a savory herb and citrus underpinning. This enjoyable wine displays an impressive balance of fruit, acidity and supple tannins and offers an intensely fruited yet refreshing finish. Drink or hold long term. Score: 94. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Inman Family Thorn Ridge Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $63. Farmed by Ted Klopp and his daughter Lauren Klopp William. Pommard, Swan and 777. Native fermentation, 100% destemmed, aged 19 months in 25% new French oak barrels, crossflow filtered and bottled. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very aromatic with intense dark red berry fruits and spice. Veers to the darker red and black fruit spectrum on the palate in a full-bodied style with underlying notes of savory herbs, tar and black tea. Good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

440 cases. 28% Thorn Ridge, 19% Rayhill, 17% Sexton, 15% Morris, 11% Guidici, 4% Horse Ridge, 2% Connell, 2% O’Connor and 2% Keefer. Aged 10 months in 52% new and 48% 1, 2 and 3-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose lacks fruit, offering instead an herbal oak theme. The fruit core, although nicely ripened and featuring dark red and black cherry fruits, is immersed in oak creating a strong dried herb finishing flavor. The texture is smooth and the tannins are well-balanced. Drink. Score: 87. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Pali Wine Co. Thorn Ridge Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 180 cases, $60, released November 2008. This 27-acre vineyard is farmed by Ted and Kathy Klopp and is located in the hills southwest of Sebastopol. The Goldridge soil has greater clay content than is typical leading to better water retention and allowing minimal or no irrigation of parts of the vineyard. The vineyard clones are 115, 667, 777, Pommard and Swan. · This wine contains clones 115 and 777. Terrific nose displaying bright aromas of dark cherries and berries, cola and a hint of summer herbs. Tasty mouthful of dark cherries, black raspberries, sassafras, and a hint of earthiness, oak and white pepper. Supple in the mouth with cleansing acidity on the persistent finish and impeccable balance. A gregarious Pinot that really delivers the goods. Reviewed July 9, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

505 cases. 30% Rayhill, 25% Thorn Ridge, 15% Guidici, 7% Connell, 5% Sexton, 5% Bailey, 5% Keefer, 5% O’Connor and 3% Meredith Estate (at least one barrel from each of Freeman’s vineyards included). Aged 10 months in 30% new and 79% seasoned French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Inviting aromas of fresh dark red cherries and berries with hints of briar, forest floor and vanillin. This wine has an appealing savory riff, adding interest to the middleweight core of dark red cherries and raspberries. The oak is complimentary, the tannins are quite modest, and the finish is juicy and refreshing. Drink or hold mid term. Score: 93. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Talisman Thorn Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 503 cases, $50, released September 2009. This vineyard is located in a foggy, windy site at the edge of the Petaluma Gap. Clones are 115, Pommard and Swan. · Scents of fresh berry pie, winter herbs, pencil lead and oak. Very tasty black cherry and berry core with a touch of herbs, juniper berry, and oak. An earthy wine with mineral nuances that is light on its feet and changes constantly in the glass. Impeccable balance predicts longevity. This wine projects a special pedigree. Reviewed December 16, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

375 cases. 44% Keefer Ranch, 20% O’Connor, 18% Thorn Ridge, and 18% Rayhill. Aged 10 months in 35% new, 41% 1-year-old and 24% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very aromatic, offering hi-tone scents of Bing cherries black raspberries, and Asian 5-spice. A bigger, more intensely concentrated wine in this vintage, yet has the backbone to balance the fruit. Delicious layers of deeply colored stone fruits and berries with hints of cola and spice. Finishes with impressive richness. Will easily hold another five years. Score: 93. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Talisman Thorn Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 339 cases, $50. This vineyard is located on the northern edge of the Petaluma Gap, a very cold and foggy site. It is essentially dry-farmed. The clones are 115, Swan selection, and Pommard. 25% whole cluster. Aged 18 months in 60% new French oak. · This is currently the most showy of the 2005 Talisman Pinot Noir lineup, but even this wine will benefit from decanting if drunk now. Plenty of showy ripe black cherry and wild berry fruit, hints of oak, earth and tar. Mouth filling richness with excellent balance and length and a defining acidity which portends a long life ahead. Reviewed July 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 D’Argenzio Klopp Thorn Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

286 cases, $48. · Hi-tone Bing cherries star in the nose with a hint of violets. The flavors are a cherries jubilee with enticing cola and spice notes. There are some darker stone fruits peeking out here as well. The finish is dry and satisfying. I picked this out as a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir before the unveiling. A Gold Medal winner at the 2006 Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Reviewed January 22, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 D’Argenzio Thorn Ridge Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

283 cases, $48. See notes for Bacigalupi bottling tasted same day. · Reviewed July 30, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2003 Talisman Wines Thorn Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

I am a fan of Scott Rich’s wines as they are quite distinctive and built for beautiful aging. Scott was pouring several other very good Pinots including the 2005 Hawks Hill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. · This wine is just hitting its stride with pure ruby color, dried cherry and berry flavors, complimentary earthiness and sauvage, and lively acidity. Reviewed March 23, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2002 Talisman Thorn Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 245 cases, $44. This vineyard lies in a rugged, cold and foggy location on the edge of the Petaluma Gap. Ted Klopp farms this desolate outpost. The soils are low vigor and water is very limited. · This Pinot is full of character and is just plain terrific. Harmonious and balanced with a velvety mouth feel, this wine needs some time to reveal its charms. Give it adequate air time and it becomes silky and sensuous, redolent with red and dark berries, cherries and an underlying earthiness. You can even enjoy it as it evolves over several days. It was delicious from an opened and re-corked bottle three days later, becoming less about fruit and more about interesting notes of leather, tobacco, exotic wood and wet leaves. Reviewed May 1, 2006 WINERY »

2001 Talisman Thorn Ridge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 404 cases. The 2001 vintage was marked by a cold, damp spring and the worst frost since 1980. As a result, yields were very small (1.9 tons per acre). · This Pinot offers attractive aromas of cherries and warm cookie dough. The fruit is enhanced with notes of earth, mushrooms and sauvage. The structure is firm but the style is elegant and silky. A rustic, Burgundian-styled wine that takes awhile to come around. Three days later, the edges had softened, the fruit was more forthcoming, and the wine was still pumping out the flavors. Reviewed May 1, 2006 WINERY »