Red Wines

wines

The 2019 Pinot Noir Cuvee Natalie is just slightly lighter in color yet still has a healthy ruby, semi-opaque hue. Made from a mix of Calera and Swan clones and from a cooler terroir, it’s more aromatic and complex, with wild strawberry and cherry fruits, notes of forest floor, sappy flowers, incense, and sandalwood, medium body, beautiful tannins, and a gorgeous finish. This is another brilliant Pinot Noir from winemaker Jason Kesner that ranks with the finest in California and France.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDThe 2019 Pinot Noir Cuvée Natalie Silver Belt Vineyard strikes a fine balance of broody red fruits with spice and mineral tones. The nose offers gregarious cranberry sauce, rhubarb, nori and blood orange, with accents of purple flowers. The palate is vivacious and layered, silky and lifted with a very long, spicy finish. It’s open-knit and accessible although its generous fruits and classy new oak will show best with another 2-3 years in bottle.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RPThe 2019 Pinot Noir Silver Belt Vineyard Cuvée Natalie is a very pretty, refined wine. Dried rose petal, mint, sage, sweet red cherry, tobacco and cedar are all beautifully lifted. Layered and yet also translucent, with tons of class, the Silver Belt is pretty impressive in 2019. In some previous years, the Silver Belt has been a bit rustic, but those qualities are not at all evident in the 2019. Cooler temperatures in fermentation seem to have helped quite a bit.Vinous Media | 94 VMAromas of sweet strawberries, plums and short bread with some wet-earth, following through to a medium to full body with a fresh, fluid palate and a lively finish. Pretty acidity at the end with a citrus finish. Lively and firm. Some iron to the fresh-fruit character. Try after 2025.James Suckling | 94 JSPerky acidity leads the way, pulling a mix of lightly mulled red and black cherry and raspberry fruit flavors along, while light cinnamon, sandalwood and dried anise notes peek in. This has range and length, just needs a touch of cellaring to settle in. Best from 2023 through 2029. 900 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

The 2021 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge is bright and beautifully focused from start to finish. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice, rose petal and white pepper are all finely delineated. The 2021 impresses with its tension and overall energy. A move to picking this fruit earlier has resulted in a Pinot endowed with notable tension. I love the focus here. The 2021 is a stunner.Vinous Media | 98 VMPlenty of strawberry and orange peel character with hints of spice and mineral character. Full yet tight and focused with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. You don’t see it but it pulls at the end. Excellent pinot. Drinkable but give it three or four years. Drink after 2025.James Suckling | 97 JSA nearly opaque, dark red with a purple tinge, the 2021 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard has a more floral profile of fresh lavender, black cherry, wild black raspberry, and dark earth. Full-bodied and juicy, it has ripe tannins, a good bit structure, and more savory tones on the palate that will need a bit more time, but this is a fantastic and structured wine with meaty fruit of black cherry, smoky earth, and wild herbs. Drink 2025-2040.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDMedium to deep ruby-purple in color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard explodes from the glass with vivacious scents of Bing cherries, redcurrants, and cranberries, leading to wafts of lavender, rose oil, and crushed rocks with a touch of bay leaves. The medium-bodied palate is bright and breezy, with ethereal flavors and fantastic freshness, finishing with a satiny texture and wonderful lift.The Wine Independent | 96 TWIThe 2021 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard has broody scents of rhubarb, blueberry, lilac and lavender, plus alluring botanical undertones. The medium-bodied palate balances an intense core of layered, briary fruit with loads of grainy tannins, and vibrant acidity gives a shimmery feel to the long, flavorful finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPRipe, vivid and succulent, with tightly focused blackberry, black cherry and boysenberry puree flavors at the core, which is laced with enticing notes of black tea, singed anise and red licorice. Long and focused, with a gorgeous mouthfeel as creamy fruit and the velvety structure meld beautifully through the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2035. 900 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WS