Dec 30, 2022
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Westwood Estate Wines
| Owner(s) | Carl Stanton |
| Web site | www.westwoodwine.com |
| Link to this site |
Westwood bottles a single Pinot Noir, Syrah, a Rhone blend and a Rosé from the winery's Annadel Estate Vineyard planted beginning in 2001 at the northwestern end of the Sonoma Valley AVA. Founded in 1984 in the Sierra Foothills by Bert Urch and his wife Betty Stoltz, the name of the winery came from the street where the owners' garage-based productions began before they founded a full-fledged winery. Westwood's first commercial bottling was a 1984 Pinot Noir made from grapes grown in Lake County, and produced by Bert at Greg Boeger's winery in Placerville.
In 1985, Bert connected with Duncan Haynes, who owned a well-established Pinot Noir vineyard in eastern Napa and Bert made his first Westwood Haynes Vineyard Pinot Noir that year. Shortly thereafter, Westwood Winery was re-located to Sunny Oak Farm in Shingle Springs, about eight miles west of Placerville in the Sierra Foothills.
John Kelly, a graduate of the University of California at Davis with a degree in biochemistry, became friends with Bert before Westwood Winery was founded and would help out at the winery during and after his schooling. After graduating from Davis, Kelly acquired years of winemaking experience including stints at Sonoma-Cutrer, Duckhorn, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. In 1998, Kelly formed a partnership, Annadel Vineyard Partners, LLC and purchased a 37-acre parcel of prime vineyard land at the northwest end of the Sonoma Valley. The Annadel Estate was immediately developed with the planting of Pinot Noir and other varieties.
The 33-acre vineyard is located in the northernmost part of the Valley of the Moon in what the locals refer to as the Annadel Gap and is blessed with a cool climate. The site is near Trione-Annadel State Park. Surrounded by the Mayacams to the east, it is open to a gap in Sonoma Mountain to its west. As a result, soft morning fog covers the vineyard until noon most days, and the afternoons are bathed in cool westerly winds from the Pacific Ocean.
Urch passed away in 1994 and Kelly helped his widow keep the winery running for a few years until Kelly's partnership bought the winery in 2002 and moved it to Sonoma Valley in 2005.
Westwood produced a Haynes Pinot Noir continuously from 1985 to 2005 (2006 was declassified), pulled from the same 1.5 acres. Located on the east side of the Napa Valley near Coombsville, the site is slightly warmer than the Russian River Valley. The Haynes story is complex. The land had been in Duncan Hayne's family since the 1880s. At the time he inherited it, he was Louis Martini's lawyer. Louis advised him to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and assisted Duncan in obtaining white budwood from Wente (or Stony Hill?), and cut the Pinot Noir budwood himself from his vineyard in Carneros. Louis was giving budwood away to many people who were getting started with Pinot Noir in the 1960s. Kelly's understanding is that he gave each a different selection according to his whim or some plan known only to him.
The original Pinot Noir budwood at Haynes was pulled from Martini's experiments with clones before the wood went to the University of California at Davis for clean up and development of the certified "Martini" clones. Kelly believes the Haynes selection was unique and yielded a one-of-a-kind wine. Over time yields diminished and Ken Bernards advised Duncan to plant Swan selection and the original vines were to be pulled out. Kelly asked vineyard manager Fernando Delgado for some budwood. At Haynes, the Pinot Noir was grafted on St. George, planted on 9' x 12' spacing and pruned to 2 to 4 canes and 4 spurs on a 3 wire sprawl.
At Annadel Estate, the wood was grafted in 2007 onto 101-14 rootstock, planted to 4' x 6' spacing, and pruned to 2 canes and 2 spurs on a vertical trellis. There are 1.5 acres planted at Annadel to the Haynes budwood selection and the first fruit was pulled off the vines in 2010.
There are a total of 13 acres of Pinot Noir planted at the biodynamically farmed Annadel Estate. Besides the Martini selection, plantings include Dijon clones 115 and 667 planted in 2001-2002 and Dijon clones 777 and 943 planted in 2006. The oldest vines are fully mature. In 2009 additional Dijon clone 943 was planted along with Mt. Eden, Calera and Chambertin selections and Pommard clones. Syrah, Grenache, Counise, Mourvedre, Rousanne and Viognier are also planted among the 37.4 acres. The vineyard site is unique in that there are four soil types.
A Pinot Noir has also been produced from purchased grapes from the Nicholson Ranch Vineyard in Sonoma Valley and Wendling Vineyard in Anderson Valley.
The wines, including library wines, were sold online with some retail distribution. The winery's Tasting Salon, opened in 2003, is located in downtown Sonoma at 11 East Napa Street.
Kelly had written an informative online diary since 2004 (www.winemakernotesblog.com).
In September 2014, Kelly noted in his blog that he was no longer a partner in the investor group that owned Westwood Winery and Estate Vineyard. He stepped aside amicably as a winemaker, general manager, vineyard manager and head of marketing and public relations. Kelly had struggled with chronic undercapitalization of the winery operations for years.
In 2014, Carl Stanton, a long-time Westwood partner and wine lover teamed up with winemaker David Ramey. Ben Cane joined to lead the winemaking team after seven years heading Twomey Cellars. Westwood's 2014 Clone 37 Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir score 99 points and "Best of the Best" award at The Press Democrat's 2016 North Coast Wine Challenge.
Cane is a native Australian who relocated to Sonoma in 2006 to work at Joseph Phelps Vineyards Freestone Vineyards. He moved to Twomey Cellars where he crafted outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at the winery's facility on Westside Road. By the 2018 vintage, the winemakers had become Phillipe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky. The winemaking facility was relocated to Brasswood in St. Helena and a second tasting room opened there.
By 2017, the vineyard had achieved organic certification (CCOF) and Biodynamic certification (Demeter).
Production averages 4,000 cases annually in small lots of Pinot Noir, Rhone varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Articles About Westwood Estate Wines
Quick Trigger: Are Reviews Done Too Soon? (11.18 2/3/2018)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (10.37 9/6/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.24 1/17/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.10 9/24/2017)
Reviewed Wines
2016 Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Rosé
13.5% alc., pH 3.32, TA
0.628, 189 cases, $25. Released May 2017. Harvest Brix 23.0º-25.0º. Counoise (40%) and Tannat
(13%) grapes picked early for making a rosé and then whole cluster pressed. The Pinot Noir
(40%), Mouvèdre (3%) and Syrah (4%) were collected as a saignee. All varieties individually
fermented in neutral French oak puncheons, aged on lees for 4 months, and underwent partial
malolactic fermentation. Gently fined and filtered.
·
Moderate pinkish orange color in the glass.
Market reduction upon opening (burnt match, sulfur) that resolves over time in the glass revealing
aromas of strawberry, juniper berry and underbrush. Quite flavorful with tastes of plum, cherry,
Damsel plum, spice, apricot, peach and savory dried herbs. Only the slightest tannins show up on the finish
that has some length. Much better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle, so this may be a rare instance of a Rosé benefiting from decanting.
Score: 89.
Reviewed September 24, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir Rosé
13.3% alc., pH 3.39,
TA 0.56, RS 1.2 g/L,102 cases, $25. Released May 2016. Estate grown. 77% Pinot Noir clones 115,
667, 777, 943, Pommard, Calera, Mt. Eden, Chambertin, and UCD 90, 12% Mouvedre, 11%
Grenache. Harvest Brix average 24.0º-25.3º. A saignée, barrel fermented with feral yeasts in
seasoned oak with occasional lees stirring, partial native malolactic fermentation. Aged on the lees
for 5 months. Bottled with minimal filtration and fining.
·
Moderately pink salmon color in the glass.
The scent of cherry, strawberry, cranberry and underbrush leads to a core of cherry, cranberry, blood
orange and peach flavors with a savory, earthy thread in the background. A bit rustic, with inviting richness of
fruit, soft in the mouth, finishing with noticeable generosity.
Score: 89.
Reviewed September 7, 2016
ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Sangiacomo Vineyard-Roberts Road Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
14.1% alc., pH 3.29,
TA 0.73, 289 cases, RS .4 g/L, $44. Released May 2017. Harvest Brix 22.8º-23.2º. Vineyard planted in 1999.
Clones 17 and 95. Native yeast fermentation in egg-shaped vessel. Primary fermentation and partial malolactic
fermentation finished in 35% new and neutral French oak barrels and puncheons for 11 months with 6 months
of lees stirring. Clones blended after 11 months and finished in stainless steel for 5 months. Lightly fined and
filtered.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Complex aromatic profile that features lemon, olive
oil, banana and nutty oak. Rich flavors of lemon, pineapple and white peach in a rather decadent style. Slightly
viscous in the mouth, with a very long, intensely fruited finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed September 24, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Calera Clone Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH
3.64, TA 0.506, RS .5 g/L, 100 cases, $64. Harvest Brix 24.1º. 6-day cold soak, gentle punch downs, on skins
for 15 days. Basket pressed, aged in French oak barrels, 50% new, for 16 months. Gently fined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of cherry, spice, earthy flora and toast. Mid weight
plus flavors of black raspberry, blueberry-pomegranate, black tea, Hoison and earth. There is good length in
the mouth and on the finish that is juicy and intensely fruity. Oak shadows the background as a compliment.
Considerably better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 92.
Reviewed September 24, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Clone 90 Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc.,
pH 3.51, TA 0.521, RS 0.7 g/L, 48 cases, $64. Release October 2017. Harvest Brix 23.6º. Clone 90
is the Chambertin clone. 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, 15 days on skins. Gently
basket pressed. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Gently fined, bottled unfiltered.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Highly perfumed with aromas of black cherry, spice and pipe
smoke. Light to mid weight in style with flavors of black cherry and blackberry along with a thread of
savory herbs. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the
nose was more appealing with a combination of cherry, spice and undergrowth aromas and more
fruit expression on the palate. You must decant now or cellar.
Score: 92.
Reviewed September 24, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Wendling Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.53, 216 cases,
$72. Released May 2017. This is the closest vineyard in Anderson Valley to the Pacific Coast. 23 acres, five
clones including Pommard, 667, Calera, “828,” and 115. Clones fermented separately, 25% whole cluster, 5 to
6-day cold soak, 18 days on skins. Gently basket pressed. Aged 16 months on lees in French oak barrels, 56%
new. Gently fined and bottled unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. This wine needed a day
after opening to unwind. Aromas of black cherry, dried herbs and smoky oak. More fruit expression on the
palate, offering tastes of black raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry and spice framed by facile tannins and a
touch of oak. The fruit really comes out of its shell the following day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle.
Score: 90.
Reviewed September 24, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Heritage Clones Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
24 months
·
The nose
offers only aromas of earth, mulch and barrel and no fruit emerges even with extensive swirling. Much better
on the palate, with mid weight plus very tasty flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and spice framed by
integrated tannins and a thread of oak. The wine finishes with welcome generosity and juiciness. Previously 90
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 4, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.56,
RS 0.1g/L, 780 cases, $44. Released June 2015. 115, 777, 943 and Calera clones. Native fermentation, 20%
whole clusters, 5 to 6-day cold soak, berries kept whole with each clone separated, native yeast fermentation,
aged on lees in French oak barrels, 30% new, for 6 months. Gentle fining with no filtration.
·
Moderately light
reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black cherry, earthy flora and barrel. The mid weight black
raspberry and blackberry flavors are complimented by a waft of oak. Seductively suave in texture with silky
tannins. Noticeable harmony and forward drink ability.
Score: 89.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Clone 37 Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.61,
TA 0.79, RS 0.8g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Mt. Eden clone. 5 to 6-day cold soak, native
yeast fermentation, basket pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Gentle fining and
filtration.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of dark berry preserves and
underbrush lead to a mid weight plus core of tasty black cherry and black raspberry fruits. This is a seamless
wine that finds balance between fruit, tannin, acid and oak. Enjoyable now, with a lingering sweet berry finish
that leaves behind a memorable impression.
Score: 92.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Clone 90 Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.56,
TA 0.57, RS 0.6g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Chambertain selection (90). Berries kept whole,
5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, basket pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50%
new. Gentle fining and filtration.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The cherry and raspberry fruit
flavors of this wine are seasoned with savory notes of sous-bois and damp pine needles. The wine is still a bit
tight, with the redder-toned fruit searching for expression. Nicely composed, with a light imprint of oak,
integrated tannins, and a refreshing finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Heritage Clones Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH
3.65, TA 0.57, RS 0.8g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Pommard and Mt. Eden clones. Berries
kept whole with 20% whole clusters, 5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, basked pressed, aged 11
months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Gentle fining and filtration.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the
glass. The nose reluctantly offers scents of dark fruits and a hint of vanilla. Robust and structured, showing
delicious flavors of black raspberry, boysenberry and plum with a compliment of oak, finishing modestly with a
wave of non astringent tannins. Great potential here, but needs more time in bottle.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Pommard Clone Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH
3.67, TA 0.66, RS 0.6g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Berries kept whole and included 20%
whole clusters, 5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, basked pressed, aged 11 months in French oak
barrels, 45% new. Gentle fining and filtration.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas of
dark cherry, forest floor and shaved oak lead to middleweight flavors of oak-kissed black cherry and blackberry
fruits. The tannins are generous and mildly astringent on the sweet black cherry finish. There is a good acid
underbelly. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the astringent
tannins still stood out.
Score: 88.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Reserve Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., pH 3.65,
TA 0.56, RS 0.8g/L, 220 cases, $64. Release March 2016. Pommard and 667 clones. 20% whole clusters, 5 to
6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentations, basket pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new.
Gentle fining and filtration.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of cherry pie and
baking spices lead to a luscious and structured array of black cherry, raspberry and black tea flavors
augmented with a deft touch of oak spice. The wine’s most remarkable feature is the finish, which is filled with
aromatic cherry energy and lasts for what seems like a minute. Clearly, an exceptional but young wine that will
continue to improve in the cellar and may be worthy of a higher score down the line.
Score: 93.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2016 Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Rosé
13.5% alc., pH 3.32, TA 0.628, 189 cases, $25. Released May 2017. Harvest Brix 23.0º-25.0º. Counoise (40%) and Tannat (13%) grapes picked early for making a rosé and then whole cluster pressed. The Pinot Noir (40%), Mouvèdre (3%) and Syrah (4%) were collected as a saignee. All varieties individually fermented in neutral French oak puncheons, aged on lees for 4 months, and underwent partial malolactic fermentation. Gently fined and filtered. · Moderate pinkish orange color in the glass. Market reduction upon opening (burnt match, sulfur) that resolves over time in the glass revealing aromas of strawberry, juniper berry and underbrush. Quite flavorful with tastes of plum, cherry, Damsel plum, spice, apricot, peach and savory dried herbs. Only the slightest tannins show up on the finish that has some length. Much better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, so this may be a rare instance of a Rosé benefiting from decanting. Score: 89. Reviewed September 24, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir Rosé
13.3% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.56, RS 1.2 g/L,102 cases, $25. Released May 2016. Estate grown. 77% Pinot Noir clones 115, 667, 777, 943, Pommard, Calera, Mt. Eden, Chambertin, and UCD 90, 12% Mouvedre, 11% Grenache. Harvest Brix average 24.0º-25.3º. A saignée, barrel fermented with feral yeasts in seasoned oak with occasional lees stirring, partial native malolactic fermentation. Aged on the lees for 5 months. Bottled with minimal filtration and fining. · Moderately pink salmon color in the glass. The scent of cherry, strawberry, cranberry and underbrush leads to a core of cherry, cranberry, blood orange and peach flavors with a savory, earthy thread in the background. A bit rustic, with inviting richness of fruit, soft in the mouth, finishing with noticeable generosity. Score: 89. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Sangiacomo Vineyard-Roberts Road Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
14.1% alc., pH 3.29, TA 0.73, 289 cases, RS .4 g/L, $44. Released May 2017. Harvest Brix 22.8º-23.2º. Vineyard planted in 1999. Clones 17 and 95. Native yeast fermentation in egg-shaped vessel. Primary fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation finished in 35% new and neutral French oak barrels and puncheons for 11 months with 6 months of lees stirring. Clones blended after 11 months and finished in stainless steel for 5 months. Lightly fined and filtered. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Complex aromatic profile that features lemon, olive oil, banana and nutty oak. Rich flavors of lemon, pineapple and white peach in a rather decadent style. Slightly viscous in the mouth, with a very long, intensely fruited finish. Score: 90. Reviewed September 24, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Calera Clone Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.506, RS .5 g/L, 100 cases, $64. Harvest Brix 24.1º. 6-day cold soak, gentle punch downs, on skins for 15 days. Basket pressed, aged in French oak barrels, 50% new, for 16 months. Gently fined and unfiltered. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of cherry, spice, earthy flora and toast. Mid weight plus flavors of black raspberry, blueberry-pomegranate, black tea, Hoison and earth. There is good length in the mouth and on the finish that is juicy and intensely fruity. Oak shadows the background as a compliment. Considerably better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed September 24, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Clone 90 Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.521, RS 0.7 g/L, 48 cases, $64. Release October 2017. Harvest Brix 23.6º. Clone 90 is the Chambertin clone. 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, 15 days on skins. Gently basket pressed. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Gently fined, bottled unfiltered. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Highly perfumed with aromas of black cherry, spice and pipe smoke. Light to mid weight in style with flavors of black cherry and blackberry along with a thread of savory herbs. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose was more appealing with a combination of cherry, spice and undergrowth aromas and more fruit expression on the palate. You must decant now or cellar. Score: 92. Reviewed September 24, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Westwood Wendling Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.53, 216 cases, $72. Released May 2017. This is the closest vineyard in Anderson Valley to the Pacific Coast. 23 acres, five clones including Pommard, 667, Calera, “828,” and 115. Clones fermented separately, 25% whole cluster, 5 to 6-day cold soak, 18 days on skins. Gently basket pressed. Aged 16 months on lees in French oak barrels, 56% new. Gently fined and bottled unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. This wine needed a day after opening to unwind. Aromas of black cherry, dried herbs and smoky oak. More fruit expression on the palate, offering tastes of black raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry and spice framed by facile tannins and a touch of oak. The fruit really comes out of its shell the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed September 24, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Heritage Clones Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
24 months · The nose offers only aromas of earth, mulch and barrel and no fruit emerges even with extensive swirling. Much better on the palate, with mid weight plus very tasty flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and spice framed by integrated tannins and a thread of oak. The wine finishes with welcome generosity and juiciness. Previously 90 Score: 92. Reviewed February 4, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.56, RS 0.1g/L, 780 cases, $44. Released June 2015. 115, 777, 943 and Calera clones. Native fermentation, 20% whole clusters, 5 to 6-day cold soak, berries kept whole with each clone separated, native yeast fermentation, aged on lees in French oak barrels, 30% new, for 6 months. Gentle fining with no filtration. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black cherry, earthy flora and barrel. The mid weight black raspberry and blackberry flavors are complimented by a waft of oak. Seductively suave in texture with silky tannins. Noticeable harmony and forward drink ability. Score: 89. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Clone 37 Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.79, RS 0.8g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Mt. Eden clone. 5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, basket pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Gentle fining and filtration. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of dark berry preserves and underbrush lead to a mid weight plus core of tasty black cherry and black raspberry fruits. This is a seamless wine that finds balance between fruit, tannin, acid and oak. Enjoyable now, with a lingering sweet berry finish that leaves behind a memorable impression. Score: 92. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Clone 90 Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.57, RS 0.6g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Chambertain selection (90). Berries kept whole, 5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, basket pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Gentle fining and filtration. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The cherry and raspberry fruit flavors of this wine are seasoned with savory notes of sous-bois and damp pine needles. The wine is still a bit tight, with the redder-toned fruit searching for expression. Nicely composed, with a light imprint of oak, integrated tannins, and a refreshing finish. Score: 91. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Heritage Clones Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.57, RS 0.8g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Pommard and Mt. Eden clones. Berries kept whole with 20% whole clusters, 5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, basked pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Gentle fining and filtration. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose reluctantly offers scents of dark fruits and a hint of vanilla. Robust and structured, showing delicious flavors of black raspberry, boysenberry and plum with a compliment of oak, finishing modestly with a wave of non astringent tannins. Great potential here, but needs more time in bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Pommard Clone Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.66, RS 0.6g/L, 98 cases, $54. Released December 2015. Berries kept whole and included 20% whole clusters, 5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, basked pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. Gentle fining and filtration. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas of dark cherry, forest floor and shaved oak lead to middleweight flavors of oak-kissed black cherry and blackberry fruits. The tannins are generous and mildly astringent on the sweet black cherry finish. There is a good acid underbelly. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the astringent tannins still stood out. Score: 88. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Reserve Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.56, RS 0.8g/L, 220 cases, $64. Release March 2016. Pommard and 667 clones. 20% whole clusters, 5 to 6-day cold soak, native yeast fermentations, basket pressed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Gentle fining and filtration. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of cherry pie and baking spices lead to a luscious and structured array of black cherry, raspberry and black tea flavors augmented with a deft touch of oak spice. The wine’s most remarkable feature is the finish, which is filled with aromatic cherry energy and lasts for what seems like a minute. Clearly, an exceptional but young wine that will continue to improve in the cellar and may be worthy of a higher score down the line. Score: 93. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »