Vineyard: Sundawg Ridge

OwnerKensler Family
AppellationGreen Valley of Russian River Valley
Story6.9 acres, planted in 1999.
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 MacPhail Sundawg Ridge Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.59, 409 cases, $49. Release spring 2017. Clones are Pommard, 115 and Calera. Aged 11 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of cherry, peppery spices, earth and sweet oak. Highly seductive in the mouth with a lush texture and ripe flavors of strawberry, black cherry and black raspberry. A very polished and harmonious wine with good energy, deft barrel management and a grand finish. Considerably better the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed December 13, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Sequana Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., TA 0.57, 2,597 cases, $38. Sourced from Sundawg Ridge, Dutton Ranch and Lakeview vineyards in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley. Pommard and Dijon clone 115. Aged sur lie 11 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. An array of aromas rise from the glass including black cherries, rose petals, wood box and a hint of citrus. Medium weight flavors of black cherries, cola and spice with the slightest hint of oak. Definitely Russian River Valley in character but a bit lean and ordinary. Decent. Reviewed October 26, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Sequana Sundawg Ridge Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.46, TA 0.64, 523 cases, $50. 6.9-acre sustainably-farmed vineyard planted by the Kensler family in 1999. Goldridge soils. Sequana is the sole producer of wine from this vineyard. Winemaker is James MacPhail. Clones are Pommard, 115 and Calera. Aged 11 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose offers little more than oak-driven aromas. Full-bodied and fruity, but not complex, featuring darker cherries and berries and mild fine-grain tannins. A little more enticing the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, but still dominated by mocha java aromas and flavors from oak. Cellaring may allow for more oak integration over time, but this will always be an oaky wine. Decent. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Sequana Sundawg Ridge Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.1% alc., pH 3.58, $50. This vineyard is planted in Goldridge soils over marine sedimentary sandstone and the site is heavily influenced by morning and evening fog. After cold soak, the grapes were fermented in small, open-top tanks using primarily native yeast. Hand punch downs. Aged on the lees in 40% new French oak for 11 months. · Leads off with aromas of black cherries, oak and mint. Dark cherries and berries are featured on the well-endowed palate with accents of earth, cola and oak. The fruit is encased in healthy, ripe tannins. The alcohol is well-integrated. May warrant a better rating in a year or two. Decent (+). Reviewed October 29, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »