VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Sonatera

VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Soliste Renaissance Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., 45 cases, $85 ( available by allocation). The goal at Soliste is to focus on each specific clone of Pinot Noir that is best in harmony with each vineyard site: Single Vineyard, Single Clone, and Single Cooperage wines - Monoclone®. Claude Koeberle and Don Plumley have the dream to be in the conversation with the legendary Burgundies because they are the benchmarks that inspire and drive their madness. They feel that the 2016 vintage Soliste Pinot Noir wines are the most Burgundian of all the vintages produced to date. This wine is from The Sonatera Vineyard, specifically a few rows of vines that allowed to craft a deeper wine, pressing 50% whole cluster to create more layers without losing elegance. Claude remarked, “I have never tasted a Pinot Noir of such pedigree outside of my native Bourgogne.” Claude is prone to hyperbole but I am agreement with him with regards to this wine. I respect his palate, for Claude is a rare breed - a chef for over 50 years who co-owns restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles - and who has a unique, unlimited knowledge of and perhaps more important, a unmatched passion for Pinot Noir and its role at the dinner table.

Note: Because this is a very challenging time for wineries and restaurants, Soliste is currently selling two wines normally sold only to restaurants at restaurant direct-wholesale prices: 2014 Les Cailles Russian River Chardonnay and 2015 Narcisse Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, both $28. Les Cailles Chardonnay has only been sold to The French Laundry and Narcisse is the winery’s blend of Monoclone® Pinot Noir vineyards created specifically for restaurants. Visit www.soliste.com.

· Moderate garnet color in the glass. Soaring aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and spice. Richer than many Soliste Pinot Noir wines, but still nimble and coaxing on the palate, with flavors of black cherry and boysenberry. Substantial weight in the mouth, yet sleek and comforting, finding solace in a welcome contribution of oak and a finish that just won’t quit. Still generous when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating the potential for longevity. A truly extraordinary wine and one of the best I have ever tasted from this winery. Score: 97. Reviewed May 25, 2020 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Soliste Grands Charmes Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 23 cases, 777 Monoclone®. Sonatera Vineyard. 50% whole cluster. Aged 28 months in a single new French oak barrel. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very lovable wine with a seductive perfume of cherry, exotic spices and burnt tobacco. Elegant and silky, with a mid weight core of expansive cherry and raspberry fruits picking up depth over time in the glass. A dollop of oak and spice add satisfaction. The tannins provide supportive structure and the bright acidity contributes verve. Nicely composed, with an enduring finish. The wine rises to another level over time. Score: 94. Reviewed November 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Siduri Sonatera Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.62, 191 cases, 191 cases, $50, screwcap. Released September 16, 2016. Vineyard is located in Petaluma Gap region of Sonoma Coast. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of blackest cherry, ripest strawberry, wood spice and cigar lead off. A chunky mid weight plus core of black cherry and boysenberry fruits is overlain with smoky oak. Silky in texture, with modest tannins, finishing modestly and oak infused. The oak and fruit are not dancing in step at this juncture. Score: 87. Reviewed October 30, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Siduri Sonatera Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 346 cases, $49, screwcap. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Great purity of Bing cherry fragrance, with added hints of cake spice, oak spice and chocolate, holding up beautifully over time in the glass. Nicely composed with supportive oak bringing out the best in the mid weight dark cherry core. The tannins are well balanced, and the pleasant finish hass a bright tick of refreshing acidity. Score: 90. Reviewed June 14, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Soliste L’Espérance Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.59, 123 cases, $85. Sourced from Sonatera Vineyard in Sebastopol, with vines planted in Goldridge sandy loam. Dijon 115. 0% whole cluster. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · The most Chambolle Musigny in style with an ephemeral quality that seduces the drinker. Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. I thought sure this wine had whole cluster inclusion based on its savory components. Rapturous aromas of black cherry, raspberry, spice, rose petal and cigar. Velvety in the mouth, with a well-spiced black cherry core that is highly expressive. Lightest in weight of the three Pinot Noirs tasted today, but not light in flavor. Floral and toasty oak notes add interest. The delicate tannins make for an elegant impression. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was aromatically intoxicating and the spiced fruit core continued its exuberance. Tres Pinot. Score: 94. Reviewed October 30, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Soliste Renaissance Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.67, 147 cases, $85. Sourced from a special few rows of Sonatera Vineyard. Dijon 777. 50% whole cluster. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of fresh black cherry reduction sauce, sous-bois, and dark red rose petals. An “Oh Man!” nose. The mid weight flavors of cherry and raspberry combined with more subtle floral and spice notes tug at your taste buds. Silky in the mouth, with soft, fine-grain tannins and a bombastic cherry-fueled finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose almost brought me to my knees. Harmony personified. Score: 95. Reviewed October 30, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Soliste Sonatera Vineyard T Block Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 123 cases, $85. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose is focused on aromas of spiced black cherries, plum, vanilla and sous-bois. Very elegantly composed, with dark cherry and plum fruits engaging from entry to exit. Glorious flavors with whole cluster nuances, impeccable balance, and a cherry-fueled finish that never gives up. This wine has a spring in its step and is even more enticing when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This wine will slay any appetite for Burgundian Pinot Noir. Score: 95. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Siduri Sonatera Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 368 cases, $48. Release June 2014. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Appealing aromas of cherry pie glaze, raspberries and exotic wood. Rich and luscious flavors of dark plum, black cherry, sassafras and spice with complimentary oak and balanced tannins. A pleasurable, fruit-driven wine with a plush mouth feel. A touch of heat shows up on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Soliste L’Espérance Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., 241 cases, $85. Monoclone - 115. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Intense aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, loamy soil, baking spice and iron, building in expression with time in the glass. Silky soft and feminine in character, with layers of black cherry and black raspberry fruits touched by an array of savory herbs and a floral accent. The wine fills the mouth with pleasure that carries over to the long and expansive finish. The wine has a racy energy that primes the palate for more. Even better the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle with aromatics that leap from the glass. Score: 92-93. Reviewed November 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Siduri Sonatera Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 307 cases, $32. 5 clones. · Light reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with intense Bing cherry aromas underlain with oak-driven espresso. Dark red cherry and berry fruits accented with baking spice are featured in a richly fruited wine with reasonable mid palate presence, styled with modest tannins and bright acidity, tailing off to a shallow finish with oak highlights. Decent. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Soliste Sonatera Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 123 cases, $85. Single vineyard and single clone = MonoClone®. 30% whole cluster, aged 16 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume of wild cherry, Oriental spices and rose petal. Elegantly composed, yet highly flavorful, with a barrage of well-spiced dark cherry and pomegranate fruits. Score: 92. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Siduri Sonatera Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 314 cases, $48, screw cap. Clones 667, 115, and 115. Native and cultured yeast primary fermentation, native MLF. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry liquor, tea leaf, grass and old cask. Medium bodied and smoothly textured with flavors of black cherries, black raspberries and dried cranberries with a dry herb note in the background. Well-made but just doesn’t grab my full interest. Good. Reviewed February 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Siduri Wines Sonatera Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 396 cases, $48. · Aromas are more savory than fruity featuring notes of brier patch, toast, herbs, oak and cedar. A bit reluctant at first, developing more charm with time in the glass. Oak-kissed berry and plum fruit with an earthy, feral edge. Admirable silkiness and balance, with mild tannins and some finishing persistence. Good. Reviewed April 9, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Soliste Sonatera Vineyard T Block Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 323 cases, $68. A collaboration between long time friends Elisabeth and Claude Koeberle and Beth and Donald Plumley. The name, Soliste, is derived from the special barrel or soliste that Burgundian winemakers reserve for their family and friends. Sonatera Vineyard is located on a ridge near the cooler part of Sebastopol. Clones 115 and 777 planted in Goldridge sandy loam. · Darkly colored. The nose is dominated by savory spices including cardamon. The thick plum and blackberry fruit is set off by notes of anise, vanillin and cream. Very silky in the mouth with subtle fine tannins. Good. Reviewed March 11, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Siduri Sonatera Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 486 cases, $45. A blend of 32% Pommard clone with the remainder Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777. Aged in 81% new French oak for 10 months. · Darkly colored. Fruity nose featuring very ripe blackberry and black stone fruits with toasty oak and a hint of spearmint. The attack of dark fruits is rich and fulfilling with a smooth follow-through, finishing with a generous strike of oak. Reviewed November 17, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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