Vineyard: Baranoff

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

California Pinot Noir from A to T (9.12 10/1/2012)
Pinots to Covet (8.40 6/30/2011)
Small Vines Wines Excels with High-Density Plantings (10.35 8/16/2016)
Pinot Trail Diaries (11.35 12/8/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (& Chardonnay) (10.1 12/11/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (9.34 12/17/2013)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Gros Ventre Cellars
Small Vines Wines

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Small Vines Estate Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.53, 383 cases, $65. The proprietor’s blend from Baranoff, Fassler, MK and TBH vineyards, all organically farmed by Small Vines Viticulture, Inc. All dry-farmed fruit. Pommard, “828,” 943, 459, and Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and 943. 100% free run. 50% whole cluster. Aged 17 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 20% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. A melange of red and blue fruits with a note of nutty nougat and pine show up on the inviting nose and the mid weight plus styled palate. A grand attack of black cherry goodness continues through a long finish glamorized with a haunting black cherry fragrance. The wine is well-structured and energized with good acidity predicting age ability. Score: 92. Reviewed December 11, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Small Vines Baranoff Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.60, RS 0.2 g/L, 70 cases, $82. Available to mailing list members by allocation only. Grapes grown in lean, iron-rich soil. 3-acre vineyard planted in 2001 by Small Vines Viticulture, Inc., and organically farmed. Clones include Calera, Swan, 115, 459, 667 and 777. Harvest Brix 21.5º-23.5º 5-day cold soak, 65% whole cluster native yeast fermentation. Aged 15 months on fine lees in 100% neutral French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of earthy flora, cherry, raspberry, dark berries, rose petal and subtle oak. Light to mid weight in style and black cherry driven on the palate, with an underpinning of savory herbs. A bit rustic, yet charming, with a silken mouthfeel, good energy and tension, deft oak management, and a pleasing finish. Score: 93. Reviewed December 11, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Small Vines Estate Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.72, TA 0.55, RS 0.5 g/L, 360 cases, $65. A proprietor’s blend of favorite barrels from Baranoff, Fassler, Old Mill, MK and TBH vineyards. Organically farmed by Small Vines Viticulture. 2722-3630 vines per acre planted in red sandy clay loam and Goldridge sandy loam. Yields 1.0-2.0 lbs per vine. Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and 943. Harvest Brix 22.9º-24.8º. 50% whole cluster. 3 to 5-day cold soak, on skins 14-21 days, native primary fermentation and malolactic fermentation. 100% free run aged 15 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 37.5% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Clean aromas of forest air, black cherry and hay bale. On the palate, the wine aims to please with forward leaning flavors of black cherry, plum and pomegranate accented with sweet oak. The whole cluster inclusion compliments the experience. The tannins are balanced and the easy-going, sleek finish satisfies. This is an entirely different experience than the Sonoma Coast bottling because of clonal differences. Score: 91. Reviewed August 16, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Small Vines Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.56, RS 0.3 g/L, 360 cases, $82. Released August 2016. Vineyard is located above Laguna de Santa Rosa in Sebastopol and was planted in 2001.l 4 feet x 4 feet and 4 feet by 1 meter vine spacing. Yields 1.8 lbs per vine. Calera, 777, Swan and 459. Harvest Brix 22.1º-23.5º. 75% whole cluster. 5-day cold soak, native primary and malolactic fermentations. 100% free run. Aged 15 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, 43% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Shy aromas of dark red berries, spice and potpourri with a subtle green note. Mid weight flavors of dark red, blue and black berries are accented with a bit of tobacco and herbal tastes. Somewhat rugged and attacking tannins persist through the finish and superimpose their will on the fruit. The high percentage of whole cluster inclusion makes its presence felt in this wine, but further aging in bottle should ameliorate some of that character. Unchanged when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 90-91. Reviewed August 16, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Small Vines Wines Estate Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.54, 383 cases, $N/A. About 56% Baranoff Vineyard, 25% Old Mill Vineyard, 12.5% MK Vineyard, and 6% Barlow Homestead Vineyard. Organically farmed by Small Vines Viticulture, Inc.. Clones are Dijon 113, 114, 115, 459, 667, 777, Swan, Calera and Pommard. Native yeast fermentation and native ML. 27% whole cluster. Aged 15 months on fine lees in 31% new French oak. 100% free run. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark berry pie and sweet oak lead to a mid weight core of flavorful cherry, raspberry, ollaliberry and spice. Admirable integration of oak and complimentary tannins make for easy drinking. A forward-drinking wine that aims to please with a soft mouthfeel and a finishing spurt of rich fruit goodness. Score: 92. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Small Vines Wines Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.57, 93 cases, $65. Released August 5, 2014. Vineyard planted in 2001 at top of ridge above the Laguna de Santa Rosa, Sebastopol. Sustainably farmed by Small Vines Viticulture, Inc.. Mostly Calera clone with some 115 and 777. Native yeast fermentation and native MLF. 35% whole cluster. Aged 15 months on fine lees in 25% new French oak. 100% free run. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Glorious nose over time, sporting aromas of black cherry, balsam, baking spice and Christmas kitchen. Amazing presence on the palate with numbing fruit intensity rarely seen in Pinot Noir. The dark berry and cherry fruit sap grabs on tenaciously through a very long finish. The firm, youthful tannic backbone holds the fruit in check and there is enough acidity to brighten the wine. This is a powerhouse wine that will need a few years for the tannins to soften. Don’t even think about drinking this wine now unless you decant for several hours. Score: 94. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Gros Ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 97 cases, $48. This vineyard is farmed by Paul Sloan of Small Vines. A 3-acre parcel located in the Laguna de Santa Rosa in Sebastopol, the vineyard is planted to high-density 4’ x 4’ spacing of 7 clones. This wine is a blend of the 7 clones (Calera, Swan, 113, 115, 459, 667, 777). Unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black cherry liquor, cassis and bramble. Densely concentrated flavors of black cherries, black raspberries and cola with a bit of smoky oak showing up in the background and on the finish. Rather linear and bland now, the wine fails to reveal anything distinctive about its vineyard origins, but clearly shows its Russian River Valley origins. Revisit in 6 to 12 months. Score: 88. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Small Vines Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.56, <100 cases, $65. Mostly Calera with some 115 and 777 clones. High-density plantings (2722-3630 vines per acre). Native yeast fermentations, aged 15 months in 33% new French oak. 100% free run. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of dark red cherries, rose petals, and oak spice. A hint of apple core detracts. Middle weight flavor of black cherries with a complimentary hint of oak. Admirable finesse with mild tannins and some staying power on the fruit-driven finish. Better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Good (+). Reviewed October 2, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Gros Ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 50 cases, $44. From a 3-acre vineyard in the heart of Sebastopol. This wine is a blend of the 7 Pinot Noir clones on the site: Calera, Swan, 113, 115, 459, 667 and 777. The clones were co-fermented and aged together on their lees. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red berries and black cherries with a hint of baking spices, oak and lavender. Even with decanting the wine is a bit closed, but opens some in the glass over time. Crisp and vivid core of Bing cherry and strawberry fruit with a swirl of cola and oak. Medium weighted with nice balance and finesse, and offering a lengthy finish. Drank beautifully two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. No hurry on this one. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »