Vineyard: Clos Saron Home

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Revisiting Clos Saron: Out of the Mainstream (9.3 2/22/2012)
Adventures Along the Pinot Trail, Part 3 (6.34 7/30/2007)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.3 1/22/2015)
Clos Saron: Artisan Wines (6.47 12/3/2007)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Clos Saron

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2011 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 119 cases, $60. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is reluctant to offer its charms, showing primarily aromas of wine cave and oak. More expressive the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with blackberry and black currant fruit aromas showing up. Rich and sappy, rugged but not harsh, with mouth coating black raspberry and black cherry fruit backed by muscular tannins. The palate was also more appealing the following day. Cellar this wine for at least three years. Score: 89-90. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Lower Block Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 48 cases, $65. From the coolest microclimate of the Home Vineyard. Vines planted in 1999. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. The fruit never shows up on the nose, even the next day, offering only aromas of underbrush, cardamom spice and iron. More expressive on the palate with a very tasty core of blueberry and boysenberry fruits backed by proportional dry tannins and lively acidity. The finish is particularly notable for its persistence compared to the other 2012 Home Vineyard Pinot Noirs. More sweet boysenberry fruit showed up the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle. Still tight and needs a few years in the cellar. Score: 90-91. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Old Block Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

$75. From the oldest .5-acre section of the Home Vineyard. Own-rooted vines planted in 1980. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Generous aromas of black cherry, cassis and sous-bois. Very refined and balanced with mouth filling flavors of black cherry and black raspberry. Powerful, but sleek, with cleansing acidity and a very appealing, long and sweet cherry finish. Considerably more giving and interesting the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91-92. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 70 cases, $45. · An inexperienced drinker could easily be frustrated with this wine. Upon opening, there was some reduction followed by notes of pitch, oak, and bay leaf with no fruit evident. On the palate, the mildly astringent tannin overwhelmed the fruit and the wine seemed disjointed and even unappealing with flavors of iodine, tar and green olive. The longer the wine sat in the glass, the better it became with more appealing berry fruit emerging. The following day the wine was re-tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and the transformation was remarkable. The fruit aromas were now clean and vibrant, the core of black raspberry and cherry fruit was vivid and pure and the fruit had emerged from its tannic cloak, lifted by crisp acidity. My family enjoyed the wine with dinner that following day, a perfect match for pot roast. Very good. Reviewed February 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 82 cases. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Hi-tone aromas of blackberry, black currant, Prada leather coat and oak vanillin rise from the glass. Generously fruited with sappy flavors of black raspberry, and blackberry. Firm, but balanced tannins, and a big finish plush with fruit goodness. I really liked this wine best among the older vintages tasted together on this day. Still compelling the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Drink or hold for up to 10 years. Score: 93. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 82 cases, $45. · Moderately light and red-toned color in the glass. Very seductive aromatic profile featuring scents of crushed black raspberries, leather, rose petals and oak. Delicious flavors of black cherry glaze and black raspberry jam with complimentary exotic spices and vanilla. The fruit really strikes the mid palate with well-mannered grainy tannins and appropriate acidity to bring the fruit to life. Still great later in the day and the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This wine has several years of life ahead. Reviewed February 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., 78 cases. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, forest floor, wet loam and a hint of smoky oak. Impressive freshness with flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and black plum. Pleasing integration of tannins and a very long and satisfying finish. Drink within the next five years. Score: 91. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 40 cases. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. The nose has taken on secondary characteristics of iron, ash, decayed earthy flora and iodine. The medium weighted black cherry, black raspberry, ripe strawberry black tea and oak flavors are fresh and concentrated. The wine is not tired or fading, and still bright and flavorful. Some may find the muscular tannins too daunting. Drink up or can hold another few years. This wine that will appeal to fans of aged Pinot Noir. Score: 89. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

$45. · A strikingly refined Pinot Noir with appealing cherry and berry flavors and lovely elegance. The 2006 barrel sample is equally impressive. Reviewed July 30, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.3%, 47 cases, $45. This year Gideon said was his experiment with joining the “ripeness is all” crowd. He waited longer for more physiological ripeness than ever before or since. Water had to be added to the must. “In retrospect, I think it did not turn out too bad, but I feel that we went further in that direction than I would ever go again. In my perception, the very hint of over-ripeness, which this wine does show to my palate, compromises the typicity and terroir expression, which are the wine’s soul. That said, I have been told by many that this is their favorite vintage of ours.” · I have to admit, I liked this wine very much too. The aromatics are terrific with plenty of barnyard, mushroom and minerality. The flavors are subtle and alluring with luscious strawberry and cherry fruit. Just the right mix of fruit and earthiness. No over-ripeness evident. The tannins are well-concealed and the whole package is nicely balanced. Makes you want to clap your hands. Reviewed December 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2003 Clos Saron Pinot Too Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 56 cases, $30. · This is a “tannic mutha’.” Heady spiced and confected cherries with a floral note that composes the attractive aromatics. The masculine Pinot extract is currently obscured by oak. This wine needs cheese or hearty food. Reviewed December 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2003 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 32 cases, $45. Ripening was more even in this vintage. There was Botrytis pressure for the first time. Once again, Gideon and Saron were removing individual defective grapes from otherwise beautifully ripe clusters. The wine seemed similar to the 1999 vintage when bottled showing a powerful presence. Unlike the 1999, there was a distinctive chocolate aftertaste early on. · Very dark ruby in color. Barnyard and mushroom scents dominate. Woody tart cherry flavors with noteworthy drying tannins on the finish yet to be shed. Muscular but not harsh. Needs further time in the cellar. Reviewed December 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2002 Clos Saron Pinot Too Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 29 cases, $25. Another frost damage year. In a larger vineyard, 2002 would have been a disastrous vintage, due to a combination of both unripe and over-ripe grapes in the same clusters. Hours were spent painstakingly removing every under-ripe and over-ripe grape from every cluster in order to crush only perfectly even, ripe fruit. · Rather restrained aromatics with deep, dark fruits, a hint of oak, cardamom, ripe tomato and char. Redder fruits peak through in the finish, particularly candied cherry. Tannins are reigned in. A very easy drink now and thoroughly enjoyable. Reviewed December 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2001 Clos Saron Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 28 cases, $45. A very structured and concentrated vintage with yields reduced by extensive frost damage. A notable spice dimension at the finish has distinguished this vintage. · Aromas of crushed dark cherries, cassis, game, pepper, barnyard and a hint of oak spice lead off. Lovely black raspberry fruit lingers on an elegant frame. Burly tannins. Offers a clear and unmistakable sense of terroir. I later decanted the wine which softened the tannins. This wine will reward even further aging. If drunk now, try a ripe Epiosses cheese or hearty meats like duck and game. Reviewed December 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

1999 Clos Saron Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 58 cases, $45. Inaugural vintage. A “large” production not matched again until the 2005 vintage. Yields were 1.5 tons per acre. This was initially a very dense, structured and concentrated wine that has aged gracefully and acquired more elegance and harmony. · Complex bouquet of dark Pinot fruits including plums and wild berries, mushrooms, farmyard, smoke, and even a touch of spearmint and flowers. A rustic wine that is structured and stuffed with flavors of black cherry, mushroom and game. Still showing a fair amount of tannin. Reviewed December 3, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »