Dec 30, 2022
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Karah Estate Vineyards and Winery
| Owner(s) | Michael Karah |
| Web site | www.karahestatevineyard.com |
| Link to this site |
Karah Estate Vineyards and Winery is located on 144 acres in the hills of the Petaluma Gap. Founded by Mohamed "Michael" Karah, a native of Libya, in 1995, the site above Highway 101 in Sonoma County is ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The site was originally named Windy Hill Estate Vineyards, but was changed with the 2008 vintage to Karah Estate Vineyards with a renewed commitment to producing high quality, affordable Pinot Noir.
There are six separate vineyards primarily planted to Pinot Noir (Northface, 12 acres of Pinot Noir planted in 1995), Terrazas de Oro (4 acres of Pinot Noir planted in 2005), Spirit Hill (7 acres of Chardonnay planted in 1995, grafted to Pinot Noir in 2002), Rock Garden (5 acres of Pinot Noir), Clones (1 acre of Pinot Noir next to main house), and Vesinos (12 acres surrounding the winery planted in 2000 to three selections of Pinot Noir bud stock from Burgundy).
The property was used by the famous environmental artists Christo and Jeane-Claude to create their Running Fence piece in 1976 so the winery is rich in history and folklore.
The Pinot Noir wines are sold on the website and inexpensive. Older bottlings under the Windy Hill label are also available. The wines are inexpensive. A tasting room is located on one side of the production barn and is open Friday-Sunday.
Articles About Karah Estate Vineyards and Winery
Reviewed Wines
2015 Karah Estate Reserve Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.7% alc.,
pH 3.52, TA 0.57, RS 1.1 g/L, $N/A. Aged in French oak barrels, 30%
new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Ripe fruit aromas of cassis,
blackberry jam and black grape juice. The dark fruit definitely veers to
the ripe side but is seductively rich, and the integrated alcohol lends a
satiny mouthfeel to the experience. A hedonistic mid weight plus
offering with much better oak integration than the regular Estate
bottling. The wine is still a bit reserved and will find its full footing with
more time in bottle. This ripe-fruited, sappy wine is well-crafted in this
style and will find appeal.
Score: 92.
Reviewed January 6, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Karah Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.61, RS 1.2 g/L, $30. Aged in French
oak barrels, 35% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very charming aromas of dark cherry, blackberry,
black tea and nutty oak. Nicely composed, with vivid flavors of cherry pie and baking spices with a layer of oak.
Impressive vibrancy and brightness in a nimble, mid weight style that can be enjoyed now for its silkiness and
welcoming demeanor. My only nit would be that oak currently plays too big a role.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 6, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Karah Estate Reserve Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.52, TA 0.57, RS 1.1 g/L, $N/A. Aged in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Ripe fruit aromas of cassis, blackberry jam and black grape juice. The dark fruit definitely veers to the ripe side but is seductively rich, and the integrated alcohol lends a satiny mouthfeel to the experience. A hedonistic mid weight plus offering with much better oak integration than the regular Estate bottling. The wine is still a bit reserved and will find its full footing with more time in bottle. This ripe-fruited, sappy wine is well-crafted in this style and will find appeal. Score: 92. Reviewed January 6, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Karah Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.61, RS 1.2 g/L, $30. Aged in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very charming aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, black tea and nutty oak. Nicely composed, with vivid flavors of cherry pie and baking spices with a layer of oak. Impressive vibrancy and brightness in a nimble, mid weight style that can be enjoyed now for its silkiness and welcoming demeanor. My only nit would be that oak currently plays too big a role. Score: 90. Reviewed January 6, 2018 ARTICLE »