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: Las Brisas

OwnerFrancis Mahoney
AppellationCarneros
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Anaba Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.27, TA 0.66, 180 cases, $48. Harvest Brix 23.6º. Clones 667, 777 and Swan selection. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, fermentation separately by clone. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, fertile earth, mushroom and sawn oak come to the forefront on the nose. Bright and crisp on the palate, virtually dancing on the tongue, with an essence of mid weight cherry flavor goodness. There are some forestry spices in the background that add interest. Very charming, with exquisite balance and a finish awash in juicy cherry. Score: 93. Reviewed July 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Anaba Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.60, 249 cases, $38. Swan clone. Harvest brix 24.2º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, basket pressed, aged 11 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. I like this wine for its vibrancy and infusion of fresh cherry aromas and flavors. There is a complimentary overlay of oak, the tannins are balanced, and the finish is noticeably generous with cherry goodness. Score: 89. Reviewed June 5, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Anaba Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.56, 1,576 cases, $34. A blend of select lots from Roberts Road, Dutton Ranch, Las Brisas and Tina Marie vineyards. Clones 115, Pommard, 667 and 777. Harvest Brix 22.9º-24.2º. 12% whole cluster, 4 to 6-day cold soak, native fermentation, basket pressed when dry. Aged 11 months sur lees in 40% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. Pleasant aromas of cherry, pomegranate and toasty oak which gain in appeal over time in the glass. Full-bodied, rich flavors of cherry, blueberry, and raspberry underpinned with spicy oak. The balance of sinewy tannins and acidity is spot on and there is some finishing length. A solid, dependable offering year in and year out. Score: 89. Reviewed October 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Anaba Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.525, 127 cases, $38. This vineyard is part of the Mahoney Estate and the name translates to “breezes.” The winds drive morning fog from the vineyards and cool the vines in the late afternoon. Swan and 667. Harvest Brix 23.2º-24.0º. 15% whole cluster, 5-day cold soak, native fermentation, basket pressed when dry. Aged 11 months sur lees in 33% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Pleasant aromas of cherry, strawberry and a subtle note of green herbs. Light to mid weight flavors of red cherry and cranberry fruit with a hint of cocoa and oak are marked by a brisk tug of acidity and slightly grippy tannins. A bit of heat shows up on the red fruit fueled finish. Score: 88. Reviewed October 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Anaba Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.44, TA 0.54, 174 cases, $38. The Las Brisas Vineyard is part of the Mahoney Estate and sits on the Sonoma side of the Carneros appellation. It is named for the winds that drive morning fog away and bring in coolness in the late afternoon. Soils are predominantly clay. Swan and 667 clones. Harvest Brix 23.2º. 85% de-stemmed, 15% whole cluster, 5-day cold soak, native fermentation, basket pressed, aged 11 months sur lie in 33% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry, oak and bark lead to a smoky black cherry essence. On the light side and a bit flat, with silky tannins and a short finish. The oak tends to drown out the delicate fruit in this vintage. Score: 86. Reviewed February 22, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Senders Las Brisas Carneros Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 125 cases, $55. Sourced from Mahoney Los Brisas Vineyard. 40% 667, 40% Swan and 20% 777. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Light ruby red color in the glass. The nose is nuanced with aromas of red cherry, cranberry, baking spice, old leather and smoky oak. Light to mid weight in style, with a shallow attack and finish, featuring red fruits, melted tannins vibrant acidity and a modest overlay of oak that peeks out at the end. A wine for older Pinot Noir enthusiasts. Score: 88. Reviewed March 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Tessier Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.67, 51 cases, $35. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Light reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose offers bright aromas of red plum and red berries with notes of pine needle and grass. Light on its feet and soft in the mouth, this wine has some character with primarily cherry flavor underpinned with a resin-pine riff which I assume is oak in origin. Firm, ripe tannins and bright acidity. Much better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with more expressive fruit and resolution of the oak intrusion. Good (+). Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Lost Canyon Las Brisas Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., <275 cases. · Earthy cherry, black raspberry, black currant and plum fruits with a touch of smoke, anise and char. A somewhat brooding wine with a velvety texture and a dry finish. The best Las Brisas bottling ever from this producer. Reviewed January 1, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Senders Wines Las Brisas Vineyard Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir

14.7% alc.. · Enticing aromas of ripe dark stone fruits with hints of oak toast, smoke and violets. Flavorful essence of fresh picked dark cherries and berries accented by a subtle grilled note. The tannins and acidity are more harmonious compared to the regular bottling and the silky smooth mouth feel is a come on. Veers to the edge of being over ripe, but falls short. The fruit really makes a statement. Very good. Reviewed July 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Senders Wines Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $30. · Lively aromas of black cherries and raspberries grab your attention over time in the glass, backed by a vegetal green bean note. Dark red fruited including currants and roasted plums fan out nicely on the palate with a refreshing lift of acidity on the back end. Good. Reviewed July 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Mahoney Vineyards Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.57, 230 cases, $32. This vineyard is named for the winds that cool the vines. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Typical Pinot nose with bright cherry, Herbs de Provence and oak aromas that maintain intensity over time in the glass. Delicious black cherry fruit flavor explodes in the mouth, with an impressive intensity and persistence, but the wine remains delicate and charming. A hint of citrus and oak in the background adds interest. Very good. Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Lost Canyon Las Brisas Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., <400 cases, $42. · Shy aromas of red and black fruits with grilled meat, smoke and iodine notes. Light in body and showing considerable finesse, the soft and demure red fruit has a gamey and smoky edge. There is a refreshing kick of acid on the finish. My least favorite. Reviewed April 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Mahoney Vineyards Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.5 alc., $27. · Perfume of overripe strawberries, raisins, marzipan and oak toast. The slightly roasted and brown-sugared fruits are buttressed by soft tannins creating a very smooth mouth feel. Decent. Reviewed March 11, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Mahoney Vineyards Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

325 cases, $36. Francis Mahoney has 35 years of experience growing grapes and making wine in Carneros. · A very sensual offering in the glass with cherry pie and spice interest. Decent red fruits, but rather simple and lacking punch and fullness on the mid palate. The nose trumps the flavors. Reviewed December 16, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Lost Canyon Los Brisas Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., $40. Clones 115 and UCD 18 are used from this vineyard farmed by Francis Mahoney. · A very classy nose of ripe Bing cherry and cola. The core of cherry fruit is enhanced with oak and herbs. Great persistence and suppleness in the mouth. Good acidity carries the finish. Brilliantly crafted, you’re the one that I want. Reviewed August 24, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2001 Talisman Kathy's Cuvee Carneros Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 81 cases. While Scott and Marta were bottling their 2001 Carneros Pinot Noir in 2003, they learned of the tragic death of a dear friend, Kathy Polucha-Kessler, who was one of seven skiers killed in an avalanche in British Columbia. The Richs' bottled this special wine made from the grapes of Las Brisas Vineyard, donating a portion of the profits from the sale of this wine to the Truckee Donner Land Trust, a cause that Kathy espoused. · Describing this wine was a challenge for me since this is a Jekyl and Hyde Pinot. Initially it had little aromas and was flat, bitter and stemmy. Decanting the wine and waiting a couple of hours brought forth an interesting Pinot Noir which continued to improve over the ensuing two days. The nose blossomed with aromas of earthy cherries and nutmeg. A silky core of cinnamon-laced cherries, leather, spice, mushrooms and sandalwood developed and the wine was striking. This is an argument for giving wines time to open up. Reviewed May 1, 2006 WINERY »

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