VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Sierra Mar

VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2019 Testarossa Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.42, TA 0.74, 192 cases, $74. Release June 2021. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 65% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. an immensely satisfying wine with aromas of cherry, rose petal, spice and clover. A delicious cherry core attacks and soaks the mid palate and lingers what seems like an eternity on the finish. The deep Bing cherry goodness is accented with flavors of strawberry, red raspberry and cardamom spice. Seamless in texture with impeccable harmony. Even more striking when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle. The best Sierra Mar Pinot Noir among many that I have tasted through the years. Flat out great. Score: 96. Reviewed June 13, 2021 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 Loring Wine Company Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.65, 400 cases, $38, screw cap. Sourced from rosella’s, Sierra Mar, Boekenoogen and Ranch La Viña vineyards. Clones 115, 667, 23 and Pisoni. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black fruits and pipe smoke lead to an abundance of dark red and black fruits that caress the palate. Nicely composed with a deft touch of oak and good harmony, finishing with impressive purpose. Score: 91. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 Loring Wine Company Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.42, 200 cases, $44, screw cap. Robert Young selection. Barrel fermented and aged 10 months in 50% French oak (20% new) and 50% American oak (20% new). · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Reserved but appealing aromas of lemon oil, ocean air and a hint of flint. Alluring on the palate, with fresh flavors of lemon, cream, caramel and a hint of toast. The mouthfeel is polished, the acidity is uplifting, and the citrus-fueled finish is quenching. Score: 93. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Black Kite Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.60, 200 cases, $45. Pisoni “clone.” Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The oak dominates the aromatic profile with scents of spice, vanilla and ash, but there is enough blackberry fruit aroma to satisfy. A wine for fruit hedonists with a boisterous core of blackberry and cassis flavors underlain with toasty oak. Suave in texture with very modest tannins, finishing long but with slight astringency. When tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, there was more integration of oak but the noticeable tannins persisted on the finish. Score: 90. Reviewed August 24, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Loring Wine Company Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.47, 100 cases, screwcap, $44. Release February 2017. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of white stone fruits, lemon oil, caramelized popcorn and grilled banana. Silky in the mouth with somewhat restrained and well-ripened fruit flavors of nectarine, pineapple and burnt lemon with toasty oak in the background, a supportive acid framework and a lip-smacking finish. This wine will appeal to fans of well-oaked Chardonnay. Score: 87. Reviewed October 30, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.6% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.61, 307 cases, $45. Harvest Brix 24.2º. Monty and Hyde clones. The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel and was aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 30% new, before being fined in August 2016. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. This is at first take a bombastic wine, yet with further examination yields considerably complexity. Aromas of salt air, lemon oil, pineapple and other tropical fruits, nuts and buttered toast lead to a boldly flavored wine with tastes of citrus, pear, tropical fruits, white chocolate and blond caramel. Mouth filling with a viscous mouthfeel, yet enough acidity to propel the wine through a bright finish. Score: 92. Reviewed February 25, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Black Kite Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.1% alc., pH 3.26, TA 0.66, 188 cases, $48. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of yellow apple, yellow grapefruit and buttery brioche. Rich and creamy on the palate in a fuller-bodied style offering flavors of lemon, yellow grapefruit, , grilled pineapple, yellow peach, and nectarine with a subtle note of toasty oak. I like this wine not so much for its rich and seductive flavor, but for its balance. Well-crafted in this style. Score: 92. Reviewed October 22, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Black Kite Cellars Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.60, 91 cases, $50. Pisoni clone. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, fertile earth and toasty oak open the way for a mid weight styled wine that is richly appointed with flavors of black cherry, blueberry and pomegranate infused with notes of dark chocolate and toast. Lush in the mouth, with agreeable tannins, and a bombastic cherry finish. This wine needs a little more time to integrate the new oak but it is a hedonistic charmer in the Pisoni mold. Score: 93. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.77, TA 0.58, 516 cases, $60. Harvest Brix 25.6º-28.3º. Swan, Pisoni and “828” clones. The juice spent an average of 28 days on the skins and aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 68% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of Bing cherry, spice and sous-bois lead off. Quite juicy in the mouth, with middleweight core of black cherry and black raspberry flavors that are expansive. Silky in texture, with a compliment of toast and caramel, energized with adequate acidity, and finishing with some length revealing young, dry tannins. Score: 92. Reviewed February 25, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.5% alc., 509 cases, $40. Released April 1, 2016. · Moderate golden straw color in the glass. A savory nose leads with aromas of lemon zest, crabapple, dried herbs and dried flowers. Creamy citrus, white peach, buttery toffee and caramel flavors satisfy. An oak-infused but not oak dominant style with good richness. Score: 90. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Loring Wine Company Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.58, 125 cases, $40. Released September 2015. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Clean aromas of buttery brioche, lemon oil, white flower blossom and nutty oak. This wine is somewhat rich with lemon, pear, stewed apple and toasty oak flavors complimented by a slightly creamy texture, ending with plenty of sweet, nutty oak. Score: 89. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Furthermore Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 202 cases, $45. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry reduction, dried herbs including sage give way to a tasty mid weight plus core of black raspberry and purple grape flavors. Sleek in the mouth with filigree tannins and a modest finish. Much more expressive when tasted the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle showing both fruit and savory notes competing for attention. Score: 90. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Black Kite Cellars Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.1% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.62, 264 cases, $48. Wente clone. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Clean aromas of lemon oil, citrus blossom, vanilla and marzipan. An abundance of citrus spearheads the flavor profile, complimented by notes of pain grille, caramel, butter brickle and pear. Pinpoint balance with a juicy finish that offers a hint of salinity. Score: 93. Reviewed March 12, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Black Kite Cellars Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 120 cases, $50. Pisoni selection. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Seasoned oak and dark fruits combine in an inviting perfume. Fruit-driven, with a luscious core of lip smacking blackberry and red and black raspberry fruits. The copious fruit and alcohol adds a bit of sweetness and a velvety mouthfeel. Assertive dark fruits embellish the finish that leaves a hint of alcoholic warmth in its wake. Score: 90. Reviewed December 13, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.55, 648 cases, $52. Swan, Pisoni and “828” clones. Aged in 100% French oak cooperage, 69% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of black cherry, raspberry and spice. A charge of well-spiced dark red and black fruits greet the mid palate and linger through a splashy finish. Highly soothing and harmonious, with a gentle grip of tannins and juicy acidity. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was still shy and tight. Decanting or cellaring advised. Score: 91-93. Reviewed April 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 412 cases, $55. Release September 1, 2016. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Oak leads off prominently on the nose, fading with time in the glass to reveal an hi-tone array of darker berry aromas. The sumptuous black cherry and blackberry fruits alert the palate as does the oak overlay in the background. More tannic bones and more intensity of finish in this wine compared to the Soberanes Vineyard bottling. Score: 90. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 2,764 cases, $32, screwcap. 30% of blend from Pisoni Vineyard, the oldest vines that Siduri sources in the region. Also Rosella's, Soberanes, Sierra Mar and Garys' vineyards. 63% of wine comes from vines that are at least 14 years old. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Very ripe scented nose with aromas of blackberry, spice and conifer. Silky and juicy on the palate with alluring flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and black currant with a substantial, but not imposing tannic backbone. The lengthy finish is especially noteworthy for an appellation blend wine. Score: 90. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.9% alc., 502 cases, $40. Bottled August 2014. Vineyard planted and farmed by Gary Franscioni. Wente clone and Dijon clones 95 and 96. 100% malolactic fermentation, lees stirring every two weeks until shortly before blending and bottling. Aged in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Reduced, flinty aromas dominate upon opening, transforming to notes of ripe apple, lemon and papaya over time. A very ripe fruit profile includes ostentatious flavors of grilled citrus, apricot, pear and crème caramel. Slightly viscous, with a long kiss of oak on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed September 18, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Loring Wine Company Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.9% alc., pH 3.59, 100 cases, $40, screwcap. Released February 2015. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The nose is vibrant with aromas of lemon zest, apple and marzipan. Very refined with impressive harmony, offering flavors of lemon, pear, spice and subtle nutty oak. Slightly creamy, with a bright, lemondriven finish. Score: 90. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Siduri Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 298 cases, $50, screwcap. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of wild blueberries and blackberries. The most opulent, sappiest wine in the 2013 lineup with a plethora of blueberry, black plum and blackberry fruits backed by very firm, slightly aggressive tannins. The juicy finish is filled with expansive fruit, leaving behind a taste of oak and black tea. Score: 89. Reviewed June 14, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 451 cases, $55. “Pisoni clone” and Dijon “828.” 100% de-stemmed, inoculated with specially selected yeasts, aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic, featuring scents of crushed purple grapes and dark berries. A voluptuous wine with sustained mid palate flavors of sweet boysenberry, blackberry and plum. Fruit-driven and somewhat monolithic, with firm, balanced tannins and a luxurious, fruity finish that leaves some bramble and tarry oak in its wake. Score: 89. Reviewed September 18, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Furthermore Sierra Mar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.60, 133 cases, $55. Pisoni and “828” clones. Harvest Brix 28.0º. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Earth-kissed aromas of blackberry jam lead to a delicious melange of luscious black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors with a welcome hint of spice and oak. Nicely balanced, with a lengthy finish that had good cut. The most richly endowed wine in the 2013 lineup. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose had really blossomed and the texture had become quite soft and sexy. Score: 93. Reviewed June 5, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Saignée de Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 569 cases, $24. Made from fresh pressed Pinot Noir grapes. As the grapes are crushed, a small percentage of the juice is blend off before it has a chance to absorb much color from the grape skins. The barely colored juice is then cold fermented in stainless steel in the winery’s coolest cellar to dryness. A blend from multiple Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards including Pisoni, Rosella’s, Sierra Mar, Soberanes, Tondré Grapefield, Fairview, Highlands and Paraiso. · Magnetic pinkish red color and clear in the glass. Lovely nose perfumed with strawberries, red cherries, mangoes, redwood and allspice. The wine is fresh, crisp and bright on the palate with flavors of strawberry, red cherry and cotton candy with a hint of citrus. Drink this wine slightly chilled with sushi for a big smile. Score: 88. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.4% alc., 406 cases, $40. · Satisfying scents of lemon curd, grilled pineapple and oak. Plenty of lemon-infused goodness with notes of toasty oak and clarified butter. Welcoming tension and uplifting acidity. Score: 89. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Siduri Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

15.27% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.65, 444 cases, $52. Each section picked at ideal ripeness with harvest spread over a month’s time. Each clone (943, 23, 777 and Pommard) was fermented individually, with winemaking treatment varying depending on the fruit condition. A bit more whole cluster than in previous years. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddishpurple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of Bing cherries, red rose petals and potpourri. Mouth watering flavors of peak-ripened fruits including black cherry, black raspberry and strawberry. Very smooth and seductive on the palate with welcoming concentration, finishing with a pleasing burst of robust fruit flavor. The wine picks up interest and intensity over time in the glass and the balance is spot on, portending a long life ahead. Score: 93. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 453 cases, $55. “828” and Pisoni clones. Aged in 100% new French oak barrels of which 40% were new. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. This wine is big, bold and luscious, but tannins are in their place, and the wine is in impeccable balance. The mouth coating flavors of black and purple berries, spice and anise are imposing, yet charming. A winner. Score: 92. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 WALT Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

15.5% alc., 168 cases, $65 (sold out). Released April 2014. Native yeast fermentation, aged in 50% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Done well in its style, this wine features appealing aromas of black raspberry, violets, nutty oak and sandalwood. The mid to full-bodied core of earthy black raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry fruits are very plush. A rich entry and rich finish. The prodigious fruit tries to keep the wine in balance but a touch of alcoholic heat peaks out at the end. Score: 89. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 August West Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., ph 3.62, TA 0.66, 406 cases, $32. From Rosella’s, Sierra Mar and Soberanes vineyards. Aged 10 months in 12% new, 59% 1- year-old and 29% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromatically alive with scents of purple grapes and plums with a hint of spice and brioche. Full-bodied flavors of plum and boysenberry with a hint of spice and smoky oak in the background. Juicy and vibrant with firm tannins. A solid appellation wine. Good (+). Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 August West Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.63, 129 cases, $45. Swan selection and clone 23. Aged 10 months in 66% new, 17% 1-year-old and 17% 2-yearold French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of black cherry, spice and vanilla. Fairly intense and concentrated dark red berry and cherry fruit with complimentary oak in the background on the mid palate, finishing with some oak-laced, fruit-driven power and a rush of tannins. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the aromatics still had not appeared and the wine still displayed muscular tannins. This wine should benefit from cellaring at least a year. Good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 ROAR Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.55, 549 cases, $52. Pisoni, Pommard and Swan clones. Aged 11 months in 81% new and 19% 1-year-old French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Everything comes together nicely in this wine featuring enticing aromas of black cherry, black currant, spice, forest floor and subtle oak. A mouthful of delicious black cherry, black raspberry and plum fruit coats the palate and hangs on for a long, generous finish. The fruit really sings in this wine now, but the wine will benefit from more aging to better integrate the tannins and oak. Score: 93. Reviewed September 29, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Siduri Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 445 cases, $52. Vineyard planted over several years (2007, 2008, 2010) by Gary Franscioni at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Clone 23 (Mariafeld), Pommard and 943 (777 didn’t make the cut). · Deep, dark purple color in the glass. Aromas of spicy black raspberry with tobacco-laced oak in the background. The fruit really emerges with conviction as the wine is swirled in the glass over time. The mid palate infusion of nicely ripened dark red and black cherries and berries with a hint of Hoison sauce, anise, brown spice and oak is quite pleasurable. Soft and smooth on the palate with admirable balance and noticeable finishing presence. Very good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Bernardus Sierra Mar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 336 cases, $55. A newer vineyard planted by Gary Franscioni on a hilltop at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Pisoni “clone” and “828.” Aged 10 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of black cherry pie filling, plum reduction sauce and complimentary oak. Intensely flavored with layers of black cherry, black raspberry and plum fruit with an earthy underpinning. Bright acidity, balanced tannins and modest finishing length complete the picture. Score: 91. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Furthermore Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.47, TA 0.63, 77 cases, $40, 375 ml $20. This vineyard is located at 1,000 feet elevation at the southwestern corner of the AVA. Soils are decomposed granite and gravelly loam. Pisoni clone plus “828.” Harvest Brix 27.7º. Native fermentation, aged 14 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Somewhat brooding on the nose with a roasted dark fruit tone accented by nutty, vanillin oak. Delicious, fullbodied core of fresh dark berries with an earthy undertone. Well-managed tannins with bright acidity and some finishing length. Big and fruity, but everything is in its place. Score: 89. Reviewed September 29, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 August West Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 122 cases, $45. Vineyard planted in 2007 making this the first bottling. Swiss clone Mariafeld 23. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of black plum jam and black currents with a bit of stem. Full-bodied and rugged, with a luscious core of dark raspberry and Hoison flavors and an earthy undertone. The fruit is impressive, but currently tightly compressed in tannins. Lacks expression and refinement now and will benefit from more time in the bottle. Good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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