Vineyard: Platt

Platt
OwnerRussian River Partners
AppellationSonoma Coast
StoryOwned by Joan Platt and the late Lew Platt. 30+ acres planted on a hillside about five miles from the coastline at elevations ranging from 400 to 800 feet. Located between Freestone and Bodega. Two miles southeast of Thieriot Vineyard. Racoons proved to be more of a hazard as they ate the entire first vintage of the few vines that bore fruit for the first year. Daniel Robets ("Dr. Dirt") designed the vineyard. Relatively mild climate ripens Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 15 acres of Pinot Noir is purchased by Littorai, Radio Coteau, Red Car Winery and Scherrer Winery. Goldridge soils. Clones are Pommard 5, 828, 115, 777, Calera, and Swan. Almost no irrigation, except for fertilization. Yields about 1.5 tons per acre. Lew Platt ran Hewlett Packard and Boeing from 1992 to 1999. After retiring as CEO and Chairman of Hewlett-Packard in 1999, Platt became a top-level executive at Kendall-Jackson until 2001. After his mission there was complete, he and his wife committed themselves to growing world-class grapes for a few lucky wineries. Unfortunately, he passed on in 2005 at the age of 64 before seeing his vineyard developed. A Windsor-based group of vineyard investors bought about 320 acres of the Sonoma Coast estate owned by Platt's widow. The investors, affiliates of Russian River Partners led by Flanagan Vineyards owner Eric Flanagan, believe this vineyard may be the greatest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard in California. Buyers of Platt Vineyard fruit as of 2015 were Littorai, Ramey, Radio-Coteau, Scherrer, Red Car and Cattleya.
Dates Planted2003 and 2004
Acres31 (17 of Pinot Noir, 13 of Chardonnay, 1.5 of Riesling
LocationWest of Sebastopol near Freestone.
AspectSouth-facing slope overlooking the Estero Americano, which funnels cooling marine weather to the Sacramento delta via the Petaluma Gap. 400 to 800 feet elevation.
SoilsGoldridge fine sandy loam.
VarietiesChardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling
Clones115, 123, 548, 777, 828, Calera, Pommard (UCD 5), Wente
ManagersRussian River Partners

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Tongue Dancer Platt Vineyard - Irwin Lane Russian River Valley Chardonnay

13.95% alc., pH 3.38, TA 0.62, RS 1 g/L, 96 cases, $39. Released March 8, 2019. Pratt Vineyard-Irwin Lane. Inaugural vintage from this vineyard. Grapes are from a certified organic block farmed by Jim Pratt, one of the most respected vineyard managers in Sonoma County. Clone 69. Whole cluster pressed to barrel, barrel fermented with native yeast, 100% MLF, once weekly lees stirring during primary fermentation, and aged 11 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 25% new. Bottled on July 24, 2018 unfined and lightly filtered. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. A classic Chardonnay nose offering scents of lemon custard, white nectarine, and cozy oak with a bit of flint showing up as well. Lovely flavors of lemon, white stone fruits and graphite. Sleek in the mouth with good brightness and appealing modest, leaner styling. Beautifully balanced with a lemon creme finish. Score: 93. Reviewed June 19, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Red Car Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.3% alc.,TA 0.57, $45. Sourced from several vineyards: Red Car Estate (21%), Platt (19%), Bohemian Station (18%), Falstaff (12%), Riddle Ranch (12%), Hagan (11%) and Clary Ranch (7%). Average harvest Brix 22.5º. Calera, “828,” 777, 115, Pommard and Schoolhouse clones. Aged in 10% new and 90% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Dark red berries and cherries are featured in this mid weight wine that is smooth on the palate, nicely balanced, and offers a lip-smacking cut of acidity on the finish. An admirable reflection of the Sonoma Coast in this vintage. Score: 90. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Red Car Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 495 cases, $68. This vineyard overlooks the town of Bodega, 5 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Average harvest Brix 21.9º. Calera and “828” clones planted in Goldridge sandy loam. 10% whole cluster. Aged 12 months in 20% new and 80% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Enthralling nose that really drew me into the glass with aromas of red berries, brier, rose petal and spice. Lighter weighted, but generously endowed with vivid strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and spice flavors backed by juicy acidity and backseat tannins. Impeccable balance in this deftly composed and classy wine. Score: 93. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Littorai Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 613 cases, $70. Littorai section of vineyard planted in 2004 and are highest elevation blocks on the property at 750 feet. The vines are planted to a rootstock and clones specifically chosen by Littorai. Platt is only 6 miles from the coast and overlooks the town of Bodega. Goldridge sand loam over marine origin sandstone soils. Organically farmed. Clones “828,” 115, 777, proprietary, and Calera. Yields 4.67 tons per acre. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate cherry red color in the glass. A wonderland of aromas greet the drinker with notes of black cherry, blackberry, woodland and seasoned oak. Impressive attack of heady dark cherry and dark red berry fruits transition to a plush mid palate embossed with a woodsy, savory note, finishing with uncommon length and charm. A wine of special breeding with cohesive tannins and acidity. Even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This wine has somewhere to go. Score: 94. Reviewed March 12, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Littorai Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $65. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Vivid aromas of alpine strawberry, raspberry coulis, briar and vanillin oak. Delicious fruit charge featuring raspberry, strawberry and cherry with stylish spice. Crisp and clean with modest tannins and a cherry and raspberry fueled finish of notable length and vibrancy. Still young and will take on more complexity with aging. Even better later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. You will like this one. Score: 94. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Red Car Dreamland Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.573, 90 cases, $60. Released April 2011. An extreme site that struggles to set fruit. Calera, 777 and 828 clones. Densely planted and farmed intensively. 5% whole cluster. Native fermentation. Aged 15 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · Moderate purple color in the glass. The most intense aromatics in the lineup with charming aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, plums, exotic spices including cardamom and even dried rose petals and a hint of fecundity. Intensely fruited on the palate with a panoply of cherry and berry flavors that play off each other and dance on the palate. Notable tannins at this young age, but silky and light on its feet. My only nit is a very slight green note which I attribute to a slight under ripeness or oak. Very good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Littorai Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $60. · Very shy and demure perfume of raspberry tart, vanilla and baking spices elevating over time in the glass. A curvy, saucy wine that is somewhat forward offering a lovely array of black cherry and berry fruits with subtle spice and citrus in the background. Seamless, with a good core of ripe tannins and balancing acidity that give the wine a caressing sensation in the mouth. The best comes last, as the generous fruits cascade on the amazingly persistent finish. Pick any superlative you want. My choice would be “heavenly.” Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Red Car Dreamland Platt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $60. · Moderately deep color in the glass. Very shy initially, opening slowly to reveal lovely scents of plums, berries, sandalwood and spice. Very soft, even ephemeral, dark berry and plum fruit which lightly coats the mouth building to a generous and lengthy finish. This wine seduces you slowly, finishing you off with a big and memorable climax. Reviewed June 8, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »