Vineyard: Rice-Spivak

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

A Delightful Pinot Aura Pervades the Pinot Noirs of LaRue (10.9 5/4/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Outliers (9.43 7/19/2014)
LaRue Wines (9.5 4/4/2012)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.30 5/11/2016)
Cobb Wines: A Revelation (8.11 2/15/2010)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.21 11/22/2015)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.24 6/9/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted Sonoma County Pinot Noir (10.31 6/5/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.3 1/22/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Wines (11.3 5/6/2017)
COBB Wines: No Wine Before Its Time (9.24 5/5/2013)
Cobb Wines: Carrying On the Williams Selyem Style Tradition (8.35 4/11/2011)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (& Chardonnay) (10.1 12/11/2014)
Recently Tasted California Wines (11.48 7/17/2019)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

LaRue
Banshee Wines
COBB Wines

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

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 »

2016 LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 150 cases, $70. Sourced from a 6-acre vineyard south of the town of Sebastopol. Goldridge sand loam and volcanic ash soils. Dijon clones and Swan selection. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Seductive aroma of fresh cherry and baking spices. Delicious flavors of cherry and raspberry with an appealing accent of spice. Silky tannins, with concealed oak and an extremely long finish that seems to last a minute. Score: 93. Reviewed July 20, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., 150 cases, $70. Release fall 2018. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels 33% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black cherry, BBQ spice rub and floral perfume. Refined and gracious on the palate, with an amazingly generous core of black cherry fruit that seems to persist on the finish for minutes. A bit of spice and tobacco flavor adds intrigue. Not perfect, as some tannin shows up on the slightly tart finish, but this is still a very compelling wine. This vineyard is always my paramour among the LaRue stable of wines. Score: 94. Reviewed June 9, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 150 cases, $70. A 6-acre vineyard south of the town of Sebastopol. Dijon clones and Swan selection are planted in Goldridge sandy loam with volcanic ash that gives wines from this vineyard an unmistakable spice and minerality character. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. This wine is exotically spiced as typical for this vineyard. The aromas arrive over time in the glass to accolades, offering hi-tone aromas of dark cherry, burnt tobacco, vanilla, rose petal and spice. The whole cluster character infuses the mid weight core of cherry, raspberry and blueberry fruit flavors. The polished mouthfeel appeals, and the citrus imbued finish is up lifting. The wine seems to gain traction over time, releasing its charms in steps. Glorious when tasted the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle. Score: 94. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 LaRue Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 235 cases, $60. A blend of grapes from Rice-Spivak (Dijon clones and Swan selection) and Emmaline Ann (Dijon clones) vineyards. Aged for 20 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose leads with aromas of cherry, wilted rose, tobacco and spice. Whole cluster inclusion is evident in the array of flavors that include dark berries, black cherry, black plum, and a hint of stem. Intense entry, attack and finish with prominent citrus-fueled acidity in the background. The acidity sticks out as sharp and steely, particular on the lemony finish. Score: 89. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 450 cases, $70. From a 6-acre vineyard near Sebastopol. Dijon clones and Swan selection planted in Goldridge sandy loam. Aged 22 months in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. A classy, feminine wine offering aromas of red cherry pie glaze, rose petal, spice and a woodsy compliment. Silky and delicate on the palate, with flavors of red cherry, strawberry, cranberry and piquant spice notes typical of this vineyard. Very elegant, with suave tannins, a deft touch of oak, tart acidity, and a lovely finish filled with cherry, spice and sandalwood goodness. Score: 92. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 450 cases, $70. From a 6-acre vineyard near Sebastopol in western Sonoma County. Dijon and Swan clones planted in Goldridge sandy loam. Aged 22 months in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Often my favorite COBB bottling, this wine has a glorious nose featuring cherry, rose petal, baking spice and dark chocolate aromas. Elegant and suave, with exquisite balance, this mid weight beauty flaunts its delicious essence of fresh cherries with enticing accents of spices including cinnamon. Very easy to drink now with seamless oak integration and a glorious finish of more than respectable length. Score: 94. Reviewed June 5, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 125 cases, $70. Sourced from a 6-acre vineyard south of the town of Sebastopol. Goldridge sandy loam and volcanic ash soils. Dijon and Swan clones. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass with an unfiltered appearance. Intoxicating aromas of sweet cherries, exotic spices and rose petal. Admirable richness and fullness on the mid palate with saucy flavors of cherries, spice, smoke and jerky. A floral note lurks in the background. Melded tannins, vivacious acidity and long on the finish. Amazing phenolic concentration at this low ABV. Did I mention superb balance? Score: 93. Reviewed May 11, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Banshee Marine Layer Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 200 cases, $50. A blend of the best Sonoma Coast vineyard sources including Coastlands, Rice-Spivak, Hellenthal, Emmaline and Jack Hill. Winemaking consultant is Ross Cobb. Aged 15 months in 10% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Aromas of black cherry and coffee-scented oak. Satisfying mid weight core of dark red cherry and raspberry fruit with some finishing length. Impressive balance and harmony with good integration of oak and juicy acidity. Score: 89. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 LaRue Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 220 cases, $60. A blend of Rice-Spivak and Emmaline Ann vineyards. Dijon clones and Swan selection. Goldridge sandy loam soils at both sites. Aged 17 months in 35% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Plenty of whole cluster goodness in this wine with aromas of cherry, raspberry, cola, rose and spice. An elegant wine. but packs plenty of flavorful spiced cherry and raspberry fruits with a note of pomegranate, cranberry and rose water in the background. High grade tension, nicely accented with oak, finishing with crisp, tart cherry goodness. Score: 91. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 225 cases, $70. From a 6-acre vineyard located near Sebastopol. Dijon clones and Swan selection planted in Goldridge soils. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, spice, rose petal and espresso. Silky and polished in the mouth, with an attack of fresh cherry and raspberry fruit with a hint of spice and cranberry. Impeccably balanced with a good acid backbone, soft tannins, and finishing lift. Score: 90. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.6% alc., 125 cases, $70. Clones are 115, 667 and Swan. Less than 5% whole cluster. Aged 17 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very exotic aromatic profile brimming with alluring scents of black cherry, spice, rose petal and a hint of sweet oak. The nose reminds of one that reflects whole cluster fermentation. This is a special wine of charm and character, offering juicy cherry fruit that dances across the palate. Accents of spice and flower bouquet add interest. The experience is bright and energetic with great harmony and elegance. The wine offers a refreshing cut of acidity on the long finish that seduces with spiced cherry and red berry fruits. Very difficult to keep from drinking the whole bottle. Score: 97. Reviewed May 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 192 cases, $70. From a 6-acre vineyard near Sebastopol. Dijon clones and a Swan selection are planted in Goldridge sandy loam laced with volcanic ash on a northeastern-facing slope. · Light garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of red cherries, mocha, spice and toast. An ephemeral, feminine wine with demure flavors of red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, red licorice and subtle oak. Bright and refreshing with a surprisingly robust and satisfying finish. Score: 90. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 LaRue Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 300 cases, $60. A blend of three coastal vineyards near the towns of Occidental and Sebastopol. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Demure aromas of black cherries, plum sauce, violets, hay barn and spice. Intense presence on the palate without weight, offering flavors of black cherries and red and dark berries with an underpinning of savory herbs, finishing with a hint of citrus peel and impressive fruit presence. Very soft and seductive in the mouth with supportive tannins and lively acidity, all in balance. Very good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.29, 295 cases, $70 ($150 magnum). About six miles inland from the Pacific Ocean near Sebastopol, this vineyard is planted to Dijon clones and Swan selection in Goldridge sandy loam soils with volcanic ash. 25% whole cluster. Aged 20 months in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely perfume evolves over time in the glass, revealing aromas of darker cherries and berries, forest floor, praline and subtle oak. Intensely fruity carrying royally through the mid palate and finish, showing the most body of the wines tasted here. Attractive finesse, with mild tannins, and a lively citrus-infused ending. Very good (+). Reviewed May 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 450 cases, $68. A 6-acre vineyard near Sebastopol planted in Goldridge sandy loam laced with volcanic ash. Dijon clones and Swan selection. Aged 17 months in 35% new French oak barrels. · Intensely aromatic showing vivid aromas of black cherries and black raspberries with hints of earth and oak. A little restrained upon opening, later revealing a core of racy dark red and black fruits with a refreshing lift of citrus peel on the finish. Showing a subtle caramel note from the oak which should integrate over time. Elegant and refined, with supple tannins. Very good. Reviewed April 11, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 360 cases, $68. · Like the 2006 version of this wine, this is a remarkable drink. Very expressive fruity nose emphasizing berry tart, the slightest oak and a hint of spice. Flavors of redder-toned berry fruits fan out softly on the palate, saturating every corner of the mouth and fading lithely in a lingering finish with a pleasing grip of acidity. Seamless in every way, urging you to reach for another sip. A little richer tasting than the 2006 vintage even at a lower alcohol. This vineyard is one fine piece of dirt. Reviewed February 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 COBB Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 495 cases, $72. 6-acre vineyardowned by Russell Rice and his wife, Dr. Helen Spivak. Goldridge sandy loam with ash. Dijon and Swan clone. · Stunning aromas of bright and pure cherries and berries with a hint of forest floor. Only Pinot Noir can offer a nose like this. Luscious attack of red and black cherries and berries on the mid-palate with an appealing accent of earthy loam and smoke lifted with balancing acidity (dare I say minerality), and caressed by fine-grain tannins. Elegant and refined all the way through to the vibrant and pleasing finish. This is a great wine that really shows off the frilly, sexy side of Pinot Noir. Reviewed February 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »