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: Rio Vista

AppellationSta. Rita Hills
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 Seal Beach Winery Rio Vista Vineyard Clone 115 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.7% alc.. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Comforting aromas of strawberry, red cherry and potpourri. Lighter in weight and rather elegantly styled, with flavors of cherry and baking spices. Very modest tannins and a silky mouthfeel make for easy drinking. I like this wine for its charming delicacy. Score: 90. Reviewed September 24, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Seal Beach Winery Rio Vista Vineyard Clone 667 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.6% alc.. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The aromas are slow to arrive over time in the glass, eventually offering cherry, strawberry and pipe smoke. The palate is more satisfying, with a pleasing combination of black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors. Velvety in texture, with modest tannins and a modest finish. Score: 89. Reviewed September 24, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Seal Beach Winery Reserve Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.46, TA 0.64, 200 cases, $35. Sourced from Kessler-Haak and Rio Vista vineyards. Clones 667, 115 and 2A. Harvest Brix 28.0º. Aged 26 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderately light cherry red color with a slight orange caste. The nose is quite primal and savory, with aromas of mushroom, undergrowth, pennyroyal and shy cherry fruit. Light to mid weight in style, with inviting flavors of cherry, baking spices, cola and sarsaparilla. Silky tannins and graceful in texture, with reserve quality length and intensity on the finish. This wine is not overblown like many reserve designated wines. Score: 90. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Ken Brown Duncan’s Cuvée Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.54, 277 cases, $40. 7% Rio Vista, 14% Radian and 9% LaFond vineyards. 100% de-stemmed, cold soak, aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 28% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Love the nose on this beauty with its bright aromas of cherry, strawberry, mushroom, and sous-bois. A forward drinking mid weight wine propelled by a luscious red fruit core underlain with the right touch of oak spice. Harmonious, with a sleek demeanor and a quenching, pleasing finish. Score: 92. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Flying Goat Cellars Goat Bubbles Santa Barbara County Brut Cuvée Sparkling Wine

12.8% alc., pH 3.20, TA 0.82, 207 cases, $42. Released April 4, 2015. In celebration of 10 years of Goat Bubbles, this inaugural Brut Cuvée was released. A blend of 80% Wädenswil 2A from Rio Vista Vineyard and 20% Chardonnay clone 15 from Sierra Madre Vineyard. Harvest Brix 20.3º. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Enticing aromas of green apple, green herbs, roasted nuts and freshly baked bread with a good bead. Very dry, with a lemon, green apple and vanilla flavor profile. The tight, palate-cleansing finish is ideal. Score: 91. Reviewed October 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Ken Brown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.61, 416 cases, $45. 36% Radian Vineyard, 32% Rio Vista Vineyard, 21% Buona Terra Vineyard, and 11% Rita’s Crown Vineyard. 100% destemmed, pre-fermentation cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 32% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose reminds of walking in a recently cultivated field with aromas of earth and mushroom, and a bit of dark cherry and black raspberry. A step up in fruit intensity from the Santa Barbara County bottling, featuring flavors of purple and black fruits and a hint of iron. There is deft oak treatment, the tannins and acidity are well proportioned, and the juicy finish really satisfies. A well composed appellation wine. Score: 90. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Ken Brown Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 656 cases, pH 3.71, TA 0.56, $35. Magnums available. Sourced from Rio Vista Vineyard, Garey Vineyard, Nielson Vineyard, Sierra Madre Vineyard and Buena Terra Vineyard. 53% from Santa Maria Valley and 47% from Sta. Rita Hills. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of black cherries, ripe berries and echoes of oak. Very tasty black cherry core with hints of red hard candy and spice and an earthy undertone. A very approachable mid weight offering with mild tannins and a silky mouth feel. Almost weightless. You won’t find a better AVA blend in the marketplace. Score: 91. Reviewed November 9, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Flying Goat Cellars Rio Vista Vineyard 2A Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.59, 180 cases, $42. Released April 4, 2015. This vineyard is located at the eastern gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and is slightly warmer during the growing season than vineyards further west. Wädenswil 2A clone. Harvest Brix 26.7º. 100% de-stemmed, aged in French oak barrels, 30% new and 70% neutral. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Deeply perfumed with aromas of cherry and rose petal. Very tasty essence of ripe strawberry and cherry with an enhancing spice note. A very comfortable wine with tannins folded in and impressive length of finish featuring generous cherry goodness. Score: 92. Reviewed October 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Flying Goat Cellars Rio Vista Vineyard Dijon Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.519, 240 cases, $46. Released April 28, 2012. Clones 115, 667 and 777. Grapes were de-stemmed, inoculated fermentation, hand punch downs, aged 18 months in 35% new French oak barrels. Light filtration followed by additional bottle aging. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose is closed for business initially, slowly giving up aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and smoky oak. Extremely pleasurable on the palate due to seamless winemaking and pleasing acid tension. Good depth and richness of dark berry and black plum flavor with a hint of cola, finishing with a slick burst of fruit with noticeable persistence. Even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed September 5, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Flying Goat Rio Vista Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Clone 115 Pinot Noir

(barrel sample) · Sappy young fruit on the nose, probably not finished MLF. LEGS in the glass. Rich, round, laser pure, dark fruits. Fine length and integrated acid and tannin. Very promising. Reviewed March 23, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Drew Gatekeeper Rio Vista Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.8% lc., 426 cases, $42. Sourced entirely from Rio Vista Vineyard located on the southeastern side of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Jason has worked with the same blocks from this vineyard since 2002. Average Brix at harvest 24.7º. Yields 2-3 tons per acre. Clones are 50% 777, 25% 667, and 25% 115. High density plantings dating to 1998. 10% whole cluster fermentation, 30% stem inclusion, 8-day cold soak, 21 days on skins. Aged 11 months in 30% new and 70% seasoned French oak barrels. · Expressive aromas of cherries, cedar, pine and mint. Delicious cherry and red plum with an appealing earthiness. Very smooth and elegant, nicely spiced, with soft tannins and a finish that lures you back for more. Reviewed June 5, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Flying Goat Rio Vista Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Dijon Clones Pinot Noir

Dark color, dark fruits and herbs, prominent oak. Huge and glycerol-sweet. Finish more open with time in glass. Reviewed March 23, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Flying Goat Cellars Rio Vista Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

$45. · Reviewed July 23, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Brewer-Clifton Rio Vista Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

15.5% alc., 720 cases, $46. This vineyard is owned by the Thorne family and is farmed by Buona Terra Farming on the eastern extreme of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. · Clones 667 and 777. The aromas become quite enticing with time in the glass showing off bright cherry and strawberry fruits with a touch of barnyard and pencil lead. Red fruit-driven with a hint of oak char, this is a simple but tasty wine with soft tannins lending richness and structure and marred only by slightly hot finish. Reviewed October 1, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 Brewer-Clifton Rio Vista Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

16.0% alc., 192 cases. · Appealing scents of dark fruits, oak, herbs and Xmas spice. Powerfully flavored red and black fruits with mildly dry tannins, and a clean, citric finish. Reviewed October 1, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 Flying Goat Cellars Rio Vista Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

$45. · Both 2004 and 2005 wines exhibit beautifully balance with scrumptious cherry fruit and deft touch of oak. They both have lovely depth and richness of flavor that carries over to a finish of great persistence. Highly recommended. Reviewed July 23, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2003 Arcadian Rio Vista Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

A blend of clones 115 and 667 · This is more restrained than many Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noirs featuring tart cherry flavors and bracing acidity. This won’t disappoint at the dinner table. Reviewed July 23, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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