Vineyard: Falstaff

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Many Exceptional Pinot Noirs Reviewed (10.28 4/2/2016)
Recent Sips of Pinot Noir (9.40 4/17/2014)
Whole Cluster Inspired Sonoma Coast Wines from Kutch Wines & RAEN Winery (11.38 2/2/2019)
Kutch Wines: 2013 Vintage Provided Compelling & Transparent Wines (10.3 1/22/2015)
Kutch Wines: Following Your Pinot Dream (8.37 5/13/2011)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.21 11/22/2015)
Kutch: Dedicated Work in Vineyards Made Difference in 2011 (9.16 12/10/2012)
A Dozen California Wineries Offer Holiday Cheer (11.14 12/3/2017)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Kutch Wines
Red Car Wine Co.

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Kutch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 750 cases, $39. A blend of grapes from McDougall Ranch, Bohan, Falstaff and Le Jons vineyards. Sandstone, Goldridge, Adobe clay and sandy loam soils. 100% whole cluster, native yeast fermentation, fruit crushed and punched down by foot, aged on the lees for 11 months in 100% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Complex nose displaying aromas of cherry, exotic spices, pine sap, tobacco smoke and fertile earth. Excellent vim and vigor in a mid weight style with a gentle mouthfeel, offering flavors of dark red cherry and berry and a subtle savory thread. Sporting the most whole cluster character in the 2017 lineup, this wine is nicely balanced with submerged tannins. The fruit really sang when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. A terrific value. Score: 91. Reviewed February 3, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Kutch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.1% alc., $39. Release January 9, 2018. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Soaring aromas of black raspberry, spice, burnt tobacco and tutti-fruiti. Sleek and eager to please in a forward drinking mid weight style, featuring flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with a tasty spice riff and a carbonic maceration note. Well-structured, with a compliment of oak, taking on more pride with time in the glass. Perfectly fine when tasted up to four days from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating good age ability. Drink this wine now and over an extended time of cellaring. Score: 92. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Kutch Falstaff Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.0% alc., $59. Release January 9, 2018. Vineyard is located 8.2 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Soils are marine quartz sandstone and Goldridge. Vine age is 13+ years. Clones are dijon “828,” 115 and 777 on 101 x 14 rootstock. A very cold site. Planted in 2001 by owners Ron and Judy Lougheed. Very intense and small clusters with berries the size of peas. Yields often less than 1 ton per acre. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Intoxicating nose of pie cherry, pipe smoke and exotic spice. Mouth filling goodness in a mid weight style offering flavors of cherry, raspberry, burnt tobacco and spice. Plenty of tannic backbone for support working in harmony with welcome acidity. The polished mouthfeel is striking as is the extraordinarily long finish. Still exceptional when tasted four days after a bottle was opened and re-corked. This wine shows the most whole cluster character of the wines in the 2016 lineup. Score: 95. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Kutch Falstaff Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., 350 cases, $59. This vineyard is located at the extreme edge of the Pacific Ocean and is the coldest site Kutch works with. Planted in 2001 by owners Ron and Judy Lougheed in marine quartz sandstone and Goldridge soils to Dijon clones “828,” 777 and 115. Yields often less than 1 ton per acre with very small berries and clusters. 100% whole cluster. Crushed and punched down by foot, native yeast primary fermentation and native malolactic fermentation, aged on lees for 11 months without racking in 100% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic, with hi-tone scents of black cherry, bark, pine sap and rose petal. Vibrant on the palate, with vivid flavors of dark red cherries and berries and spice accented with a woodsy, earthy bent. Very inviting, with buried tannins and a vivacious finish of graham and soil-fused fruit. This is a wine with many nuances you would hope for and some you didn’t know you wanted. Score: 93. Reviewed April 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Red Car Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.3% alc.,TA 0.57, $45. Sourced from several vineyards: Red Car Estate (21%), Platt (19%), Bohemian Station (18%), Falstaff (12%), Riddle Ranch (12%), Hagan (11%) and Clary Ranch (7%). Average harvest Brix 22.5º. Calera, “828,” 777, 115, Pommard and Schoolhouse clones. Aged in 10% new and 90% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Dark red berries and cherries are featured in this mid weight wine that is smooth on the palate, nicely balanced, and offers a lip-smacking cut of acidity on the finish. An admirable reflection of the Sonoma Coast in this vintage. Score: 90. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Kutch Falstaff Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.3% alc., 350 cases, $59. Vineyard planted in 2001 in Goldridge soils. Clones are “828,” 115 and 777. 580 feet elevation, 8.5 miles inland from the coast. One of the coolest Pinot Noir vineyards in the North Coast with average mean monthly growing season temperature of 60ºF. VSP trellising, spur pruned, 8' x 5' spacing. Aged in 100% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is mesmerizing with hi-tone aromas of cherry rock candy, raspberry coulis, spiced plum and rose petal. Sleek and seductive and seamless in every way, this wine offers juicy flavors of Bing cherry, raspberry and strawberry robed in modest, soft tannins. Highly approachable with a refreshing lift of tight, defining acidity. More demure and feminine than the McDougall bottling. Wow! Score: 93-94. Reviewed January 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Kutch Falstaff Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., $59. Falstaff has a shallow layer of Goldridge soil over marine sandstone that imparts a minerality to the wine. 100% whole cluster. · Deep, dark reddish purple color in the glass. Brooding aromas of blackberry jam, black currant, anise and smoky oak. Remarkable fruit intensity with a full-on array of dark berry fruits embellished with hints of spice and earthy goodness. The wine exhibits a tannin-filled personality that is in balance with the prodigious fruit. Very soft and smooth in the mouth with a long, fruit-laden finish. More aromatic with the telltale floral and spice attributes of whole cluster and more flavorful the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Tremendous potential that will require several years of cellaring, but can be enjoyed now with decanting. Score: 92-93. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Kutch Falstaff Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., 50 cases, $55. Release August 2013. 7-day cold soak, native fermentations, 50% de-stemmed and 50% whole cluster, all fruit crushed and punched down by foot, aged sur lie 10 months without racking in 50% new and 50% used French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose picks up intensity and interest over time in the glass, slowly revealing attractive aromas of blackberries, black raspberries and candied plum. Intensely fruity on the attack and mid palate, the broad flavors finishing with impressive length. Deep plum and dark berry flavors caressed in supple tannins with a velvety smooth mouth feel. A very subtle stem note in the background disappears and the flavors really blossom the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Give this wine some time in the cellar and you will be a happy camper. Reviewed December 8, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Kutch Falstaff Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., 168 cases, $48. Heirloom clones grown biodynamically. Yield .75 ton per acre. 20% whole cluster, native fermentations, aged sur lie 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex nose offering scents of black cherries, plums, spices including clove, and a curious note of prickly pear. This impressive wine offers a vivid and generous core of dark red and black berries and cherries with supporting smoky oak, and appealing spice and loamy earth notes. The fruit is front and center but the wine’s appeal is augmented by a very silky mouth feel, restrained but firm tannins, and bright acidity on an explosive finish which seems to last for 30 seconds. The wine drank nicely the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Needs several years in the cellar for full enjoyment. Very good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »