Vineyard: Sun Chase

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (10.4 2/8/2015)
Chardonnays to Admire (9.12 10/1/2012)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.39 10/1/2016)
More Sips of California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (9.20 2/26/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted Wines (9.38 2/22/2014)
Tasting Pinot with Plenty of Noir (9.9 7/21/2012)
Recent California Pinot Noir Releases (9.5 4/4/2012)
Recent Sips of California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (9.45 8/15/2014)
California Pinot Noir Worth Toasting (11.20 3/15/2018)
Recent California Pinot Noir Tastings are Inspirational (10.27 3/12/2016)
More Sips of Pinot (9.16 12/10/2012)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (9.34 12/17/2013)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Wren Hop Vineyards
Ancillary Cellars
Chateau St. Jean Winery & Vineyards
Fogline Vineyards
Patz & Hall
Vivier Wines
Anaba Wines

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Chateau St. Jean Le Seul Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $75. Sourced from Gap’s Crown and Sun Chase vineyards, both located in the Petaluma Gap AVA. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Lovely aromas of black cherry, blueberry-pomegranate, cardamom spice and fertile earth. Highly engaging on the palate, with a mid weight core of primarily black cherry goodness. A subtle spice, floral and vanilla accent add interest. Impeccable balance with well-matched tannins and easy approachability. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 94. Reviewed March 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Fogline Vineyards Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 245 cases, $42. This 40-acre, sustainably-farmed vineyard is located where the Petaluma Gap meets Sonoma Mountain, perched at 900 to 1,400 feet elevation on a southwestern facing hillside. Clones 667 and 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate crimson color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, sous-bois and oak lead to a mid weight style wine with enticing flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, boysenberry and spice with a deft touch of oak in the background. Charming, with balanced ripe tannins, and irresistible juicy vibrancy. Score: 92. Reviewed October 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Fogline Fogline Neighbors Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.65, 72 cases, $65. Released October 2015. A blend of three vineyards on the western face of Sonoma Mountain: Sun Chase (1200 feet elevation), Janian (900 feet elevation) and Fogline (850 feet elevation). Clones 667, 777, 115, 114, Pommard, Mt. Eden and Swan. 30% whole cluster fermentation. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose evolves slowly over time in the glass, eventually giving hi-tone aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and seasoned oak. Dark fruited on the palate with inviting intensity that carries over on the fruit-dominated finish. The slightly sinewy tannins are folded in, and the barrel management is ideal. Still inviting the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Can be enjoyed now, but has the balance to last. Score: 91. Reviewed March 12, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Fogline Vineyards Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.44, TA 0.65, 195 cases, $42. Released October 2013. The 40-acre Sun Chase Vineyard is located where the Petaluma Wind Gap meets Sonoma Mountain on a southwestern facing hillside. This wine is sourced from hillside blocks above the fog line at 1200 to 1400 feet. Clones 667, 777. Aged in 33% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of forest floor, black cherry and sweet oak. Full-bodied, with broad flavors of black cherry and blackberry pulled into line with fine acidity and stout tannins. The fruit is very expressive, even sassy, and captivates all the way through a finish sporting plenty of drive and persistence. Score: 92. Reviewed August 15, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Ancillary Cellars Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $50. From a high elevation (900’ to 1400’) vineyard located in the Petaluma Gap region. Clones 667, 777 and “828.” · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very nicely perfumed with scents of black raspberry, black cherry, spice, balsam and subtle oak. Silky, elegant and refined, with layers of black cherry and pomegranate flavor accented by complimentary tobacco-laced oak. Very soft and polished on the finish. Score: 91. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Ancillary Cellars Sun Chase Vineyard Whole Cluster Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $55. This wine is meant to bridge the gap between the ripe California style of Pinot Noir and the Old World style. Clone “828.” · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. The nose is pleasant but unusual and hard to describe with only a hint of black cherry and a touch of floral bouquet. Very soft and smooth on the palate with an earth-kissed core of cherry fruit. Not as giving and a little more structured than the regular Sun Chase bottling, although the tannins are still rather suave. Score: 89-90. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Fogline Vineyards Fogline Neighbors Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 72 cases, $65. Released April 2014. A blend of the Sun Chase Vineyard and Fogline Vineyard, both on western face of Sonoma Mountain. Clones 667, 777, 115, Pommard, Mt. Eden and Swan. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. An array of aromas fill the glass including forest floor, black cherry and spicy oak. Vivid and juicy on the palate with great harmony and presence. The bold flavors of raspberry, cherry, and boysenberry are accented with a touch of spice and earthbound flora. The toothsome tannins are well integrated and the finish is long and lush. Score: 92. Reviewed August 15, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Anaba Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.525, 518 cases, $34. Sourced from Sun Chase Vineyard located on Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Wind Gap region of the Sonoma Coast. Clones 667, 777, “828,” and 114. Harvest Brix 23.2-25.1º. De-stemmed, 12% whole cluster, 4 to 6-day cold soak, native fermentation, basket pressed, aged 11 months sur lie in 42% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Pleasant aromas of fresh cherries and spice. Juicy and bracing, with demure flavors of cherry and cranberry with very subtle oak in the background. Fresh, forward and likable with gossamer tannins and bracing acidity. A solid wine. Score: 87. Reviewed February 22, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Fogline Vineyard Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.30, TA 0.70, 195cases, $42. Released October 2012. This 40- acre vineyard is situated at 900 to 1400 foot elevation on Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap region of the Sonoma Coast. Clones 667 and 777. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromatically alive with dark berry, spiced plum and wooded forest aromas. Well-endowed with prodigious black cherry, black currant, blackberry and blueberry fruits typical of 667 and 777, accented with a touch of spice. The tannins are muscular but well matched to the sappy fruit, and the lingering finish offers a pleasing riff of acidity. Somewhat brooding at this stage, this wine will benefit from further cellaring. Score: 89. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Anaba Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.8% alc.. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. The nose is very subdued at this early stage, offering peeks of dark berry jam, spice and oak. Full-bodied, fat and silken on the mid palate, with assertive flavors of dark stone fruits, blackberries and poached plums. The most striking fruit in the Anaba lineup. Much better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with better integration of oak and more expressive fruit. Great upside potential. Very good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.2% alc., $35. Sourced from Gap’s Crown, Durell, Dutton Ranch, Sun Chase, and Parmalee Hill vineyards. Whole cluster pressed, indigenous yeast fermentations, aged sur lie with weekly stirring, 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel, aged in 40% new French oak barrels, and bottled without filtration. · Pale straw color in the glass. Pleasant perfume of baked pear, honey and toast. Moderately rich with a comforting smoothness, featuring lemony, nutty, toasty flavors with a hint of toffee, leaving some lemon-driven scent on the lively finish. Seamless and thoroughly enjoyable. Very good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Fogline Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.35, TA 0.67, 80 cases, $42. Released fall 2011. Sourced from the Sun Chase Vineyard on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain at 1200 to 1400 feet elevation in the Petaluma Gap. Clones 667 and 777. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex nose offering many scents that come and go including black cherries, plum sauce, strawberries, pipe smoke, dark chocolate, herbs, dusty earth and a floral note. Middleweight cherry-driven flavor with a hint of spice, dried herbs, tobacco and even peach. Elegant, with soft tannins and respectable acidity, finishing with a citrusy cherry flavor. An interesting chameleon of a wine, but a bit strange in its combination of aromas and flavors. Good. Reviewed December 8, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Wren Hop Vineyards Rebel & Martyrs Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.43, 165 cases, $48. Sourced from Sun Chase Vineyard, located where the Petaluma Gap joins with Sonoma Mountain at an elevation of 900 to 1400 feet on a southwestern facing hillside. Dijon clone 96. Aged 11 months in 100% new French oak barrels. · Light straw color with a very slight haze in the glass. Shy aromas of citrus, wet stone and dried seeds. Dry, soft and smooth on the palate, offering more nutty, yeasty and toasty flavor than pear and citrus fruit. Still, a refreshing wine with admirable acidity that finishes clean and bright. Good. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Vivier Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc. $54. From a vineyard in the Petaluma Gap region at 1200 feet elevation above the fog. Clone 777. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex nose offering a panoply of aromas including dark plums, blackberry jam, sassafras, and cardamom spice. Delicious essence of fresh dark berries, nicely spiced, with a hint of sous-bois, dried rose petal and oak. Moderately rich and nicely balanced, with a velvety texture. Ready for current drinking, but will age. Still terrific the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle when my wife and I polished the bottle off. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Wren Hop Vineyards Shriveled Hand Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.95, 50 cases, $62. Grapes sourced from Sun Chase Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap. Clone 777. Aged 14 months in 100% new French oak barrels. · Dark purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark mocha java with little fruit evident. Bigboned, with generous amounts of coffee-scented, sweet black cherry fruit wrapped in firm tannins. Promising fruit core which is buried in oak at present. Give this wine time in the cellar. Good. Reviewed December 8, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »