2017 Pinot Noir

As I wrote last year, the young Adrien Renoir took over this four-hectare domaine in Verzy a few years ago, launching his eponymous label in 2019. Working exclusively with estate fruit, he abandoned herbicides in 2015 and attained... Read More

The Aston Estate is located in a remote part of the Sonoma Coast at Annapolis in Calistoga, just five miles and two mountain ridges from the ocean. The estate originated with the purchase of a 40 acre parcel in 2000, on a gentle... Read More

A more complex and more sauvage-inflected nose offers up notes of wild red and dark berry fruit aromas. There is more size weight and power to the broad-shouldered flavors that possess a succulent mid-palate that contrasts considerably... Read More

A mildly toasty nose surrounds the cool red currant cherry and raspberry-scented aromas. There is good minerality and excellent punch to the nicely detailed and delicious medium-bodied flavors that possess a bit better mid-palate... Read More

A cool pure and elegant nose offers up more elegant and much spicier aromas of red cherry cassis violet and anise. There is both good volume and intensity to the nicely concentrated medium weight flavors that exude a subtle minerality... Read More

A more elegant and more expressive nose is comprised by airy and cool aromas of both red and dark pinot fruit that is laced with hints of forest floor violet earth and a whisper of wood. There is both good intensity and energy... Read More

The 2017 Clos St. Jacques was also still a bit grumpy about being tasted but all of the pieces are in place here for a great wine down the road. The bouquet was spot on at the time of my visit and truly beautiful offering up scents... Read More

Here too a generous dollop of wood frames the very spicy aromas of plum liqueur dark raspberry and subtle humus and underbrush scents. The sleek and impressively intense medium weight flavors brim with minerality while offering... Read More

Here too a generous dollop of wood frames the very spicy aromas of plum liqueur dark raspberry and subtle humus and underbrush scents. The sleek and impressively intense medium weight flavors brim with minerality while offering... Read More

The team at Maison Drouhin only breaks out the Baudes from the Premier Cru blend in vintages that are extremely strong and I was very happy to see that there will be a 2017 les Baudes this year. This is excellent wine in the making... Read More

More evident wood and menthol surrounds the spicy black raspberry Asian-style tea and floral hints. The delicious and attractively vibrant medium-bodied flavors possess a velvety yet detailed balanced and lingering finish. This... Read More

A much earthier array is comprised by fresh and cool aromas of red and dark currant plus a wisp of humus that is picked up by the supple and relatively round and forward middle weight flavors that display a mild tanginess on the... Read More

Here too discreet but not invisible wood frames spicy aromas of dark cherry plum tea and pretty floral wisps. There is good intensity to the sleek delicious and lightly mineral-inflected flavors that possess the best mid-palate... Read More

An elegant and admirably pure nose offers up notes of red cherry spice violet and lavender along with hints of earth and forest floor. The supple and almost delicate flavors exude a subtle minerality on the delicious if mildly... Read More

A markedly floral if decidedly reticent nose that is trimmed in subtle oak influence speaks of spiced plum lavender violet and red cherry. The attractively concentrated and generously proportioned medium-bodied flavors brim with... Read More

There is plenty of oak influence with notes of toast and menthol framing the spicy aromas of plum liqueur violet and sandalwood. The medium-bodied flavors are rich to the point of opulence on the mouth coating and slightly warm... Read More