Today’s Fog & Wind Wines 2016 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a very special wine from our good friends at Sojourn Cellars. As described by the folks at Sojourn, they went to extremes to produce to produce this Pinot. That started with their vineyard sources, which are at the extreme boundaries of the Sonoma Coast - and extends to the extreme level of care that the winery took in crafting this delicious wine. They pulled out all the stops to carefully craft a pitch-perfect Pinot - and they succeeded. This is a truly exceptional Pinot Noir.

Pristine Pinot with typical medium density, a gorgeous maroon hue, spreading out to an auburn lip. The nose is a delicious confluence of dried roses, dusty bramble, creme brulee, alfalfa, and terracotta. On the palate there’s copious dark cherry and cola, with a subtle sarsaparilla, vanilla, and dulce de leche. It’s got a beautiful round mouthfeel like a soft balloon that bobs across the top of the tongue. Yummy. This would be an excellent choice for a Oaxan chicken molé dish.

Winery founder and winemaker Erich Bradley got his start at Arrowood Vineyards and Winery, and went on to hold a winemaking post at Hop Kiln Winery as well as Audelssa Estate Winery in Glen Ellen, and Pinot powerhouse Pangloss which are positions that he continues to hold today. Erich benefitted from years of mentorship under wine legends Richard Arrowood and David Ramey, but Erich’s work speaks for itself. Erich is a master of Pinot Noir.

The Sonoma Coast AVA, established in 1987, is the area directly adjacent to the Pacific coastline of Sonoma County. The ocean’s influence causing a cooler, higher rainfall and foggy climate most influences the vineyards of this region, many of which have exceptional views of the mighty Pacific. These factors cause grapes to mature and ripen more slowly which is ideal for Burgundian varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region is approximately 750 square miles with about 7,000 acres under vine.

Here’s what the wine press has to say.

90 points - O. Bargreen, International Wine Report - ” This Pinot Noir is sourced from several vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. It begins with a bouquet of red cherries, dried herbs and cranberries and pomegranate. The palate maintains a silky mouthfeel, while showing nice astringency towards the back end with underlying citrus flavors and lovely overall balance. I expect this his will continue to drink well over the course of the next few years.”