VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Azaya Ranch

AppellationMarin County
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2019 Ellen Redding Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 125 cases, $42. Sourced from two sites: Azaya Vineyard in Hicks Valley and the Chileno Valley Vineyard. Azaya Vineyard was planted to clones 667, 777, faux 828, and 115 by the duo Mark Pasternak (Devil’s Gulch Ranch) and Dan Goldfield (Dutton-Goldfield Winery). Chileno Valley Vineyard is a windswept site only 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean and also farmed by Mark Pasternak. 7-day cold soak, 1/3 whole cluster, native primary and secondary fermentations. Aged in neutral and once-used French oak barrels. Moderate garnet color in the glass. Giving aromas of cherry, boysenberry and toasty oak. A well-spiced core of cherry fruit is accompanied by tastes of cola and tobacco. Nice fruit sap but surprisingly more oak overlay considering the use of neutral and once-used barrels unless the whole cluster is responsible. · Score: 92. Reviewed April 25, 2022 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Brooks Note Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.63, 200 cases, $36. A blend of grapes from Azaya Ranch (clones are Wädenswil 2A, 115, 667 and “”828.”) and Chileno Valley Vineyard (Pommard and “828.”). 10% whole cluster. 3-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 33% new, 33% once-filled and 33% neutral. Filtered and bottled in February 2017. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose is highly rewarding, featuring deep aromas of cherry, rose petal and baking spice. Regal and silky in the mouth, with a core of dark chocolate covered black cherry flavor enhanced with an earthy tone. Seamless, with a pleasing cherry-driven finish. Score: 93. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Dutton-Goldfield Azaya Ranch Vineyard Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.58, 246 cases, $62. This Marin County vineyard was planted by Mark Pasternak for the McEvoy family. Clones 667, “828,” and 115. Great natural acidity is a hallmark of this site. 100% de-stemmed, 7-day cold soak, open-top fermentation. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Easy to find superlatives for this beauty that offers enticing aromas of blueberry, blackberry, pomegranate, spice and rose petal aromas. Plush and engaging on the palate in a mid weight plus style feature a gorgeous array of fruits including blueberry, blackberry and raspberry. This wine has impressive harmony, freshness and vibrancy that draw the drinker back to the glass. Simply sublime. Score: 95. Reviewed November 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Brooks Note Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.68, 250 cases, $36. A blend from Chileno Valley Vineyard (46%) and Azaya Ranch Vineyard (54%). Clones are Wädenswil 2A, Dijon 115 and 667 (Azaya Ranch) and Pommard and “828” (Chileno Valley). About 10% whole cluster. 3-day cold soak, native yeast inaugurated fermentation, aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 27% new, 27% once-filled and 46% neutral. Bottled March 2016. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. I had to dig deep to pull out the shy aromas of earthembossed cherry, plum, boysenberry, fall forest floor, and floral bouquet. Light to mid weight in style, with flavors of plum, red and purple berry and pomegranate. Sleek in the mouth, with supportive tannins, and good lift and juiciness. Forward drinking and pleasing. A very attractive value. Score: 90. Reviewed January 16, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 McEvoy Ranch Azaya Marin County Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., 585 cases, $50. Azaya is an estate vineyard nestled in the Petaluma gap. This is the premiere release of Azaya Pinot Noir. Aged 20 months in 500L French oak puncheons, 15% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very shy but pleasant aromas of cherry and blueberry with a savory herb, green garden and nutty compliment. Black cherry, blueberry and spice flavors delight in the mouth. Firm but not imposing tannins provide structure and the wine finishes with length and generous black cherry and blueberry aromatic goodness. Score: 90. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Dutton-Goldfield Azaya Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.61, 375 cases, $58. Vineyard is located in cold and foggy valley in western Marin County. Vineyardist Mark Pasternak planted the 18-acre Azaya Ranch for the McEvoy family on a south and west facing hill in Hicks Valley. Clones are 667, “828,” 115, 777 and Wädenswil 2A. This wine contains 667, “828,” and 115 clones. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Initially elusive, the aromas of dark red and purple berries, spice cabinet and even roseate arrive over time in the glass. Attention-grabbing attack, expansion and finish, with a mid weight essence of boysenberry and black raspberry fruits kissed by a variety of spices. The most tannin in the 2014 lineup, this wine exhibits a slight astringency on the finish at present. Still, this wine is fresh and giving, and ready to go now. Score: 92. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Brooks Note Marin County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.69, 250 cases, $36. Sourced from Chileno Valley Vineyard (46%) and Azaya Ranch Vineyard (54%), both located on the Marin side of the Petaluma Gap. 10% whole cluster. 3-day cold soak, native yeast initiated fermentation, aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 27% new, 27% once-filled and 46% neutral. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic with effusive aromas of black cherry, savory herbs and cardamom spice. The mid weight flavors of cherry, black plum, black tea and star anise are inviting, and nicely accented with a touch of toasty oak. Good freshness with an underlying savory tone, very modest tannins, and a finish fueled by cherry and raspberry aromatic goodness. Score: 90. Reviewed April 20, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Dutton Goldfield Azaya Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.58, 279 cases, $58. This vineyard was planted by Mark Pasternak for the McEvoy family in Hicks Valley. There are 5 clones on this 18-acre ranch including 667, “828,” 115, 777 and 2A (only the first three listed are in this wine). 100% de-stemmed, 7-day cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is reluctant, but does offer pleasing aromas of black raspberry, blackberry and pine with coaxing. Open and forward on entry, with a mid weight charge of purple and black berry, and purple grape flavors, touched with a hint of spice. Modest tannins make for a smooth mouthfeel, and the finish offers impressive length and power. Score: 91. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Dutton Goldfield Azaya Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.63, 236 cases, $58. Vineyard is located in a cold, foggy valley in western Marin County. 100% destemmed into open-top fermenters, cold soaked for 7 days.Aged 11 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. I could not take my nose away from the glass which was filled with hi-tone scents of black raspberry coulis, crushed blackberries, and spice. A seamless wine that is charming and welcoming, offering a middleweight array of darker berry and plum flavors accented with savory herbs in the background. A vein of bright acidity keeps the wine vivid and refreshing, and the firm tannins provide structure for long term enjoyment. This one really wakes up the mouth. Score: 93. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Dutton-Goldfield Azaya Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.5% alcl., pH 3.53, TA 0.60, 219 cases, $58. This vineyard is located in a cold, foggy valley in western Marin County. It was planted for the McEvoy family by Mark Pasternak on an ideal south and west facing hillside in Hicks Valley. The 18-acres contain clones 667, “828,” 115, 777 and 2A. This bottling has clone 667 and “828.” Aged 17 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with scents of black raspberry, Hoison sauce and dried herbs. Very plush and polished on the palate, with magnetic flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, plum and spice wrapped in fine-grain tannins and lively acidity. A marvelous wine with a memorable finish displaying great grip. The velvety texture alone is reason to clap. Score: 93. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Dutton-Goldfield Azaya Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

30-40 cases, $58. From a vineyard farmed by Mark Pasternak on Hicks Valley Road near Corda Family and Stubbs vineyards. Mark planted this 18-acre vineyard in 2006 with Dijon 115, 667, 777, 828, Swan and 2A clones. DeLoach, Hartford Court and Woodenhead are also in line for fruit in the future. Inaugural bottling from this very cool site. · Open and generous nose with aromas of fresh pie berries, spice and loamy earth. Delicate, yet flavorful core of dark red stone fruits and berries caressed by well-ripened, mildly firm tannins, and infused by bright acidity. A winegasm. Very good (++). Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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