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: Rocking K

Owners	Bobby Kiel, Char Kiel
Appellation	Carneros
Story	A former chicken farm, planted in 1997 and acquired by the Kiels in 2010 who launched a boutique Pinot Noir from the vineyard the same year.
Dates Planted	1997
Location	2 miles from the historic Sonoma Plaza
Varieties	Pinot Noir
Clones	Pommard
Managers	Bobby Kiel, Char Kiel

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Rocking K Vineyard: Carneros Jewel (9.28 8/14/2013)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Rocking K Vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

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 WINERY » 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 WINERY » 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 WINERY » ARTICLE »