Pinot people hear us out. Gap’s Crown!

94 POINTS! From what could easily qualify as a “Grand Cru” Pinot Noir vineyard by all accounts. Kosta Browne, Sojourn, WALT, Three Sticks - all among the esteemed producers making Pinots from this site.

And every one will set you back $75-$150 or so.

Furthermore, pun intended, not much else need be said. But let us elaborate a bit…further (last one, promise).

As you know, the Gap has only one Crown. San Francisco Chronicle explains that “An AVA can provide an identity for individual wineries… It can also provide credibility to lesser-known vineyards. An under-the-radar enterprise gets a big boost from associating with world-famous Gap’s Crown.”

Ross Cobb according to Antonio Galloni’s Vinous makes “some of the most beguiling, transparent Pinots in all of California” - TRUTH, as you just can’t make this stuff up. 2019 Cobb Pinots earned 95-98 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “offering exceptional elegance, brightness, purity, the energy and concentration to age a decade or more in the cellar” but they retail for $80-125 per bottle.

But this at $35? Did we mention the 94 Points?!

Supple, graceful style builds depth and intensity, with ripe, plump black cherries, plums, and blueberries. Definitely a fuller-bodied style, gaining depth and nuance while it manages to stay elegant and delicate. Red and black cherry glaze combined with sweet cranberry sauce, plum, sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, and raspberry jam packed in there too. It’s weighty with lush, mouthcoating texture Deep, complex, and focused, this is quintessential Gap’s Crown destined to blow Pinot lovers’ minds.

If you’re still on the fence, Wine Spectator may help convince why this vineyard is nearly impossible to see again at this killer price: “Gap’s Crown, a Sonoma Coast vineyard that supplies Pinot Noir to top producers like Kosta Browne, Patz & Hall, and MacPhail has been purchased by Bill Price (who) holds ownership interests in wineries such as Kistler, Three Sticks, Gary Farrell and Kosta Browne, as well as Durell Vineyard…”

Continuing that“The fruit has always been killer per Michael Browne of Kosta Browne, calling it ‘the backbone of our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir’ (a Wine Spectator Wine of the Year). Located in the foothills of Sonoma Mountain, east of Rohnert Park, the vineyard offers a variety of soil types at elevations ranging from 300 to 800 feet above sea level. ‘It doesn’t get pounded by cold air,’ which is typical in the often-gusty Petaluma Gap, Browne said. Many of the vines also sit above the fog level, which benefits ripening. ‘It’s kind of a magic mix, the vineyard produces some pretty intense fruit.’ Browne said.”

And what we say is JUMP ON THIS!

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“Mellow, dusky aromas and a combination of savory and almost-sweet fruit flavors give this wine a relaxed richness and complexity that’s a pleasure to taste. From a small winery that should soon be on the radar.”