Reviews

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Both savory and fruity on the nose, exhibiting aromas of cherry, dried herbs, wet mulch and a hint of tobacco. Very charming in the mouth, with expansive flavors of black cherry, savory herbs and tobacco robed in modest tannins. A silky smooth texture attracts, and the wine has commendable harmony, finishing with cherry and citric flavors.

Drawn from two ridgeline vineyards in western Green Valley, as well as a cool valley-floor site near Freestone, this trades the foggy, wind-swept intensity of far-coast fruit for a more supple, gentle, inland expression that still feels cool. Its silky red-cherry flavor carries an appetizing herbal edge in texture that feels satiny and effortless. It’s delicious and ready to drink. 

Brian Maloney makes this pinot noir primarily from three vineyards in the cool Sebastopol Hills, sites defined by thin soils, steep slopes and windy weather. This feels like the quintessence of Russian River Valley fruit: a lush, satiny, perfectly formed red cherry flavor that goes on and on, presenting the region’s richness with admirable subtlety. A day of air only clarifies its refinement, bringing out a deliciously crunch, near-mineral freshness — think wild cherry skin. It may take on more complexity with four or five years of age but it’s hard to resist right now. 

From a cold, foggy hillside vineyard in the southwestern corner of the Russian River Valley, this seems a bit burly at first, its vintage-driven warmth and oak spice meeting crunchy minerality. Then, bright acidity pushes its hearty yellow pear and butternut squash flavors toward a salty, marine briskness. It’s intense, substantial, fresh chardonnay; you could decant it now or age it a few years before pouring it with sweet, earthy miso-glazed black cod.

Editors’ Choice.

This impressive wine is made in larger quantities than many of the producer’s single-vineyard designates, sourced from throughout the appellation. It shines in spritzy, vibrant acidity that supports a medium-bodied frame of lemon zest, kumquat and plenty of length, dotted in touches of nutmeg. 

From the producer’s estate vineyard planted on the Olivet Bench, this sublimely textured white is perfumed, zesty and complex. It delights in voluptuous layers of pear and honey in equal measure, showing both sides of deliciousness, fresh and fruity.

Cellar Selection

This fascinating and extremely appetizing wine is very dry, almost steely, with aromas like cinnamon and lime. These are followed by bracing and bone-dry flavors like lemon and Bosc pear with a touch of tannin in the texture, which is unusual for a white wine. Cellar for the mid-term and drink after 2018. 

Stony minerality surrounds sublime texture in this full bodied, balanced expression of the appellation’s Middle Reach neighborhood, an area known for producing wines of great beauty and subtle power. Apple, pear and richer characteristics of stone fruit are succulent on the palate, while a racy spiciness intrigues. 

This vineyard-designate from a lovely, coastal site imparts flavors and aromas of golden and green apple along with noticeably juicy apricot and peach. Light bodied, it shows an exuberance of fruit alongside notable minerality and a slight hint of sea spray. 

From a hillside spot pummeled by coastal influences, this lovely, light wine opens with a confectionary nose of meringue. Lemony acidity provides a lift of bright, focused tension balanced in concentrated stone fruit and spice with a strong oak backbone.