Dec 30, 2022
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Rocking K Vineyard
| Owner(s) | Bobby Kiel, Char Kiel |
| Web site | www.rockingkvineyard.com |
| Link to this site |
Bobby and Char Kiel has a small Pinot Noir vineyard planted to the Pommard clone in 1997 located near the historic Sonoma square. The couple acquired the vineyard in 2010, which is hand farmed with plenty of love. The first vintage of Los Carneros Pinot Noir was 2010 and consisted of 128 cases crafted by winemaker Rick Davis and the subsequent vintages by Michael Peters (Kasuari Wines). The single wine is fermented with native yeast with no fining or filtration.
The vineyard is named for the Kiel's surname.
Tasting is by appointment. The wines have limited restaurant and retail distribution. Two country cottages located in the Rocking K Vineyard less than two miles from the historic Sonoma Plaza are available for wine country stays.
Articles About Rocking K Vineyard
Reviewed Wines
2012 Rocking K Vineyard Single Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., Unreleased. 50%
whole cluster. Aged in 40% new French oak.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of
black cherries, spice, s’mores and espresso. Brilliant Bing cherry flavor with a delicious finishing kick
of fruit. Plenty of cola and oak-driven notes are evident. The tannins are suave and the mouth feel is
dreamy. Could turn out to be the best and most age worthy of the three vintages sampled here. Tasted
the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine showed more whole cluster
driven spice and much better integration of oak. Yummy.
Score: 95.
Reviewed August 14, 2013
ARTICLE »
2011 Rocking K Vineyard Single Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 75 cases, $55. 100% destemmed.
Aged in 33% new French oak.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass with a slight amount of
sediment. Deeply perfumed with scents of Bing cherries, dark chocolate, spice and subtle oak. Darker and a
little denser than the 2010 vintage but sharing a very similar flavor profile of dark cherries, cola and spice.
Seductively soft and silky in texture, offering balanced tannins and nicely integrated oak, finishing with plenty of
Pinot singing.
Score: 94.
Reviewed August 14, 2013
ARTICLE »
2010 Rocking K Vineyard Single Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 128 cases, $55.
100% de-stemmed and aged in 33% new French oak.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the
glass. Lovely aromas of fresh Bing cherries, ripe strawberries and cardamom spice which maintain
over time. Delicious middleweight core of dark cherry flavor with accents of cola, anise and spice.
Enticing finesse and supple, well-balanced tannins. Ready to drink now but the balance will keep this wine
fresh for years. Like cherry pie day at cooking school: cherries, baking spices and very interesting
results. Will work beautifully at the table, complementing rather than fighting with food.
Score: 95.
Reviewed August 14, 2013
ARTICLE »
2012 Rocking K Vineyard Single Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., Unreleased. 50% whole cluster. Aged in 40% new French oak. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherries, spice, s’mores and espresso. Brilliant Bing cherry flavor with a delicious finishing kick of fruit. Plenty of cola and oak-driven notes are evident. The tannins are suave and the mouth feel is dreamy. Could turn out to be the best and most age worthy of the three vintages sampled here. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine showed more whole cluster driven spice and much better integration of oak. Yummy. Score: 95. Reviewed August 14, 2013 ARTICLE »
2011 Rocking K Vineyard Single Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 75 cases, $55. 100% destemmed. Aged in 33% new French oak. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass with a slight amount of sediment. Deeply perfumed with scents of Bing cherries, dark chocolate, spice and subtle oak. Darker and a little denser than the 2010 vintage but sharing a very similar flavor profile of dark cherries, cola and spice. Seductively soft and silky in texture, offering balanced tannins and nicely integrated oak, finishing with plenty of Pinot singing. Score: 94. Reviewed August 14, 2013 ARTICLE »
2010 Rocking K Vineyard Single Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 128 cases, $55. 100% de-stemmed and aged in 33% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh Bing cherries, ripe strawberries and cardamom spice which maintain over time. Delicious middleweight core of dark cherry flavor with accents of cola, anise and spice. Enticing finesse and supple, well-balanced tannins. Ready to drink now but the balance will keep this wine fresh for years. Like cherry pie day at cooking school: cherries, baking spices and very interesting results. Will work beautifully at the table, complementing rather than fighting with food. Score: 95. Reviewed August 14, 2013 ARTICLE »