Sonoma Coast received its designation as an AVA in 1987. Situated across 500,000 acres, Sonoma Coast is home to sub-appellations Chalk Hill, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Northern Sonoma, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Valley. The appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County. The area has a broad range of soil types and microclimates across its various sub-appellations.
Because this wine is made and aged in stainless tanks, the fruit is crisp and clean: initially notes of Green Apple and Pear are predominant when served chilled properly, and give way to Melon notes with a hint of Citrus as the wine warms in the glass. The mouthfeel is especially creamy due to the fact that it has undergone 100% malolactic fermentation, converting harsh malic acids to softer, milky ones.
Grapes from this wine come from two Sonoma vineyards: one from southern Sonoma County in Carneros and the other from the Russian River area. Carneros is the cooler climate, with wind and fog prevalent conditions, meaning longer growing time, higher acidity and leaner fruit, while Russian River fruit tends to be riper and fatter in style. By blending fruit from the two distinctive areas, this wine results in high acidity and clean, crisp fruit leaning toward green apple and citrus, but with a nice, plump mid-palate of pear and melon.
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County, California
Alcohol: 14.0%
The Sonoma Coast, a world-renowned growing region southwest of the Russian River and just six miles from the Pacific Ocean is known worldwide for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness. Small lots of fruit were sourced from eight exceptional Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley vineyards exclusively for Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. The sites span the depth and width of the appellation – from the cool Green Valley knoll of Halleck to the Petaluma Gap site of Sangiacomo – bringing great complexity and cellaring potential to this bottling.
Deeply scarlet ruby in color, the 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir showcases the best of a spectacular vintage. On the nose, quintessential aromas of dried cherry, raspberries and black tea are highlighted by spiced orange, cedar and red Santa Rosa plum. The ripeness of the vintage is balanced by bright stone fruit acidity and refreshing minerality – an undertone of toasty oak and sweet spice brings the palate into focus. Fine grained, yet coating, tannins and strawberry spice finish make this Pinot Noir an easy match for almost any food pairing.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyards: 46.2% Black Knight; 41.0% De Voto; 6.6% Vining; 4.3% Indinoli; 1.2% The Farm; 0.6% Halleck; 0.06% Dano; 0.04% Sangiacomo.
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Alcohol: 14.3%
pH: 3.52
TA: 5.3 g/L
The Sonoma Coast is a world-renowned growing region known worldwide for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness. The well respected and highly sought after Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir on Roberts Road is an elegant addition to the Calstar Cellars portfolio. The Roberts Road parcel of the Sangiacomo Vineyard has located a the northern end of the Petaluma Gap with cobbled alluvial soil and bench deposits. This location has proven itself to be the ideal site for Pinot Noir, influenced by morning fog, warm days and strong afternoon winds leaving the grapes plenty of hang time and development of distinct flavors.
A stunning vintage across the region, the 2013 perfectly balances rich, ripe fruitiness with firm acidity and broad tannin structure - the product of a long, extended growing season under near-perfect conditions. Dried raspberry and cherry notes are balanced by sweet leather, black tea and forest floor. On the palate, the fruit notes support primary savory flavors of roasted meat, minerality and mushrooms with hints of sweet baking spice and pomegranate. Lovely and nimble, the tannins flex across the back of the mouth, carrying cassis and white pepper into the finish.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Vineyard: Roberts Road Parcel, Sangiacomo Vineyard
Barrel Aging: 30% New, European Oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
Harvest Date: October 12, 2013
Release Date: August 1, 2018
Pure and Elegant, our pinot noir is bursting with energetic juicy blueberry and fresh raspberry. The vibrant fruit flavors are complemented by hints of lilac and sous-bois. Enjoy this versatile wine on its own or paired with wild coho salmon, tagliatelle a la carbonara, coq au vin or whatever inspires you...
Appellation: 100% Sonoma Coast
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: Fermented in bonar bins and aged 8 months in neutral French oak barrel.
Alcohol: 13.8%
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Vineyard: Indinoli Vineyard
Bottled: July 2014
Fermentation: 100% Barrel Fermented, mL Complete
Alcohol: 14.2%
Release Date: October 15, 2015
The Sonoma Coast, a world-renowned growing region southwest of the Russian River and just six miles from the Pacific Ocean is known worldwide for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and microclimates that contribute to slow grape maturation and optimum ripeness. Small lots of fruit were sourced from five exceptional Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley vineyards exclusively for Calstar Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. The sites span the depth and width of the appellation – from the coastal De Voto Vineyard near Freestone to the Sangiacomo Vineyard in windy Petaluma Gap – bringing great complexity and cellaring potential to this bottling.
Medium ruby violet in color, the 2014 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is delightfully fruit forward from the start. Raspberry, dried cranberry, red plum and Bing cherry dominate the nose with hints of sassafrass, warm spice and cedarwood starting to develop once the wine opens up in the glass. A stellar vintage, 2014 brings supple, ripe tannins and great purity of fruit with that is anchored by signature Sonoma Coast earth: wet river rock, forest floor and loam. Juicy cranberry acidity carries the wine through the palette, finishing with fresh strawberry, sweet oak and a pebble-like minerality.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyards: 34% Black Knight; 23% Vining; 17% Indinoli; 17% Sangiacomo; 9.0% De Voto;
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Alcohol: 14%
pH: 3.68
TA: 5.8 g/L
With flavors of green apple, pear, and melon, this rich and lightly-oaked Chardonnay is the perfect complement to fish, chicken, and foods with cream-based sauces and becomes increasingly elegant as it warms in the glass.
Grapes for this wine come from two Sonoma vineyards: one from southern Sonoma County in Carneros and the other from the Russian River area. Carneros is the cooler climate, with wind and fog prevalent conditions, meaning longer growing time, higher acidity and leaner fruit, while Russian River fruit tends to be riper and fatter in style. By blending fruit from the two distinctive areas, this wine results in high acidity and clean, crisp fruit leaning toward green apple and citrus, but with a nice, plump mid-palate of pear and melon.
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County, California
This is my take on a Chablis, made with California fruit. It was fermented in neutral oak barrels to give it the roundness and viscosity you expect in a California Chardonnay, without the toasty, oaky flavors. It was aged on the lees for 17 months, with only occasional stirring. It has not gone through malolactic fermentation, so the crispness is more like a Sauvignon Blanc than a Chardonnay.
In the glass: Deep golden color
Aroma: Honeysuckle, citrus and tropical fruit
In the mouth: Crisp, refreshing entry with citrus flavors and round mouth feel, a little brioche and vanilla highlights the honeysuckle flavors
Finish: Nice long floral and citrus finish, with just a hint of vanilla, oak, and tropical fruit at the end
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