Vineyard: Rayhill

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.39 10/1/2016)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (10.40 10/20/2016)
Recent Sips of California Pinot Noir (11.1 3/29/2017)
Ten Year Vertical of Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (9.29 9/5/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.10 9/24/2017)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Freeman Vineyard & Winery
Eric Kent Wine Cellars
Ernest Vineyards

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Eric Kent Small Town Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.66, 221 cases, $52. Released spring 2017. Artist Kelly Puissegur. Fruit sourced primarily from Freestone area including Michael Valentine, Cleary Ranch, and Rayhill vineyards with additions from Grand Vent Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap and a small amount from Stiling Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Multiple Dijon clones and Swan and Pommard. 25% whole cluster. Aged in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The aromas reach new heights over time in the glass, revealing notes of black raspberry preserves, spice and sawn oak. A complete wine featuring flavors of blueberry-pomegranate and black raspberry framed by gentle tannins. Steadfast and seamless, with persevering mouth and finish presence. Score: 93. Reviewed September 24, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Freeman Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 1,002 cases, $45. The largest contribution to this wine came from Rayhill Vineyard (115 and 777), with small amounts of grapes from Campbell Ranch (777), and the very young Yu-ki Estate Vineyard located just five miles from the Pacific Ocean at 1,000 feet elevation (114, 667, “828,” 2A and Mariafeld). 5-day cold soak in open-top fermenters, hand punch downs, free run juice directly to barrel, press wine barreled separately. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 22% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, blueberry, Damsel plum and amphora lead to mid weight flavors of earthy cherry that make an impression. A bit of nutty oak shadows the fruit, the tannins are chalky and supportive, and the finish ends with appealing savory and juicy fruit notes. Score: 90. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Eric Kent Sascha Marie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.60, 306 cases, $52. Sourced mainly from Roberts Road Vineyard located in the eastern Petaluma Gap region combined with contributions from four other sites. 56% Roberts Road, 16% Stiling, 16% Grand Vent, 8% V-C Ranch and 4% Rayhill. Clones are 44% Swan, 28% 777, 18% Pommard, 4.5% 115, 3% 113 and 2.5% 667. Aged in French oak barrels, 60% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Flirtatious aromas of cherry pie, hazelnut and baking spices. Plenty of sappy Bing cherry fruit accented with spice. Sleek and forward drinking in a mid weight plus, generously fruity style that extends enough juicy acidity for admirable balance. This wine has that charming pinotosity that is impossible to describe but you know it when you experience it. Score: 94. Reviewed October 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Ernest Vineyards The Grandfather Rayhill Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 161 cases, $56. Clone 115 harvested at 23.4º Brix. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. An array of aromas greet the nose, including black cherry, forest floor and oak. A harmonious offering, with teasing flavors of dark cherry, red currant and supportive oak. Easy to cozy up to with invisible tannins, and a grand finish that goes on and on. Score: 92. Reviewed October 19, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

350 cases. 23% Sexton, 18% Campbell, 18% La Cruz, 11% Rayhill, 6% Thorn Ridge, 6% Jones, 6% Keefer, 6% Harmony Lane, and 6% O’Connor. · Modest reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of darker fruits with hints of oak spice and rose petals. Dances on the lean side, but still quite flavorful, featuring both red and black berry notes finishing with focus and purpose. Will need more time to integrate the vanilla-infused oak and fully express itself. The characteristic finesse showed by the Akiko’s Cuvée wines is apparent. An impressive effort in this difficult vintage. Drink or hold mid term. Score: 91. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

325 cases. 23% O’Connor, 18% Campbell, 14% Connell, 14% Thorn Ridge, 9% Gunsalus, 9% Rayhill, 5% Sexton, 4% Bacigalupi, and 4% Harmony Lane. Aged 11 months in 27% new, 27% 1-year-old and 46% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Very lovely aromas of Bing cherry pie filling, baking spices, and a hint of oak. This exceptional wine has it all: a soft, silky texture, vivid cherry and raspberry fruit expression, very suave tannins, uplifting acidity, beautifully married oak, and overall, an appealing delicacy. A thing of beauty. Drink or hold long term. Score: 95. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

312 cases. 41% Guidici, 29% Sexton, 12% Rayhill, 6% Thorn Ridge, 6% Bacigalupi, and 6% Spring Hill. Aged 11 months in 41% new, 35% 1-year-old and 24% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The bright aromas of black cherries, spice and seasoned oak leap from the glass. Racy, discreetly concentrated dark red fruits are complimented by a savory herb and citrus underpinning. This enjoyable wine displays an impressive balance of fruit, acidity and supple tannins and offers an intensely fruited yet refreshing finish. Drink or hold long term. Score: 94. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

420 cases. 38% Keefer Ranch, 24% Rayhill, 24% Guidici, 9% Horse Ridge, and 5% Sexton. Aged 11 months in 38% new, 33% 1-year-old, and 29% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. This wine reflects more Green Valley influence from Keefer Ranch. The aromas jump out of the glass with swirling, offering enticing notes of fresh cherries and crushed wild raspberries with a touch of spice. Impressive mid palate presence of an array of dark red fruits that are vivid and juicy. Like chewing on iced cherries. The oak is beautifully integrated, the tannins are well-mannered, the acidity is bright, and the finish is delightful. A lip-smacker. Drink or hold long term. Score: 95. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

440 cases. 28% Thorn Ridge, 19% Rayhill, 17% Sexton, 15% Morris, 11% Guidici, 4% Horse Ridge, 2% Connell, 2% O’Connor and 2% Keefer. Aged 10 months in 52% new and 48% 1, 2 and 3-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose lacks fruit, offering instead an herbal oak theme. The fruit core, although nicely ripened and featuring dark red and black cherry fruits, is immersed in oak creating a strong dried herb finishing flavor. The texture is smooth and the tannins are well-balanced. Drink. Score: 87. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

505 cases. 30% Rayhill, 25% Thorn Ridge, 15% Guidici, 7% Connell, 5% Sexton, 5% Bailey, 5% Keefer, 5% O’Connor and 3% Meredith Estate (at least one barrel from each of Freeman’s vineyards included). Aged 10 months in 30% new and 79% seasoned French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Inviting aromas of fresh dark red cherries and berries with hints of briar, forest floor and vanillin. This wine has an appealing savory riff, adding interest to the middleweight core of dark red cherries and raspberries. The oak is complimentary, the tannins are quite modest, and the finish is juicy and refreshing. Drink or hold mid term. Score: 93. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

375 cases. 44% Keefer Ranch, 20% O’Connor, 18% Thorn Ridge, and 18% Rayhill. Aged 10 months in 35% new, 41% 1-year-old and 24% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very aromatic, offering hi-tone scents of Bing cherries black raspberries, and Asian 5-spice. A bigger, more intensely concentrated wine in this vintage, yet has the backbone to balance the fruit. Delicious layers of deeply colored stone fruits and berries with hints of cola and spice. Finishes with impressive richness. Will easily hold another five years. Score: 93. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »