Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.
A bright and expressive Pinot Noir, this wine, comprised of clones 667 and 777, is full of bright cranberry, black cherry, Bing cherry, violet flower, macerated plum, pomegranate, and boysenberry. There is a vibrant acidity running through this, and the brief 11 months of French Oak aging provides a compelling textural component. The light tannic structure supports the whole of this wine offering a slight weightiness to the overall experience. 571 cases. ORIGIN: Sonoma Coast. ALCOHOL: 13.2%
2026 is an important year for the folks at Brandlin Estate because Henry Brandlin first planted grapes on Mount Veder 100 years ago. Exhibiting soft lemon-lime, mango, white peach, light kiwi, green apple and apricot with floral aromatics, there is also a line of minerality running throughout this wine. Aged 11 months in oak barrels gives this wine a tactile experience, a creaminess and a softness making it a great appetizer wine, or just to sip by itself.
ORIGIN: Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14%.
Soft and unassuming, this Pinot Noir exhibits a quiet luxury. Texturally it is smooth and soft and almost belies, the vibrant fruit notes of blackberry, black and Bing cherry, steeped black tea leaf and fresh/cut garden herbs. The tannins and acidity are modest making for an enjoyable and haptic drinking experience. Comprised of 14 different Pinot Noir clones from the Quail Hill Vineyard, this is truly a wine that exceeds the sum of its parts.
This harkens back to more traditional, Italian Nebiolo, rather than a California iteration. Of course, that was their goal in planting their northern Sonoma property to begin with. The fruit is rather muted, the tannins fairly tight, and the acidity is noticeable. These are all traits of good European wine and it’s nice to see California making something that represents Nebbiolo’s true style. Though the tannins are a little tight decanting is not necessary, although an hour or so would do some good.
