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)

Search This Site:

Vineyard: Pratt

AppellationSonoma Coast
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Sojourn Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.60, 900 cases, $42. Released spring 2018. A blend of five vineyards, primarily Wohler Vineyard with some Riddle and Pratt vineyards. 100% de-stemmed, open-top fermentation using native yeast after a 5-day cold soak. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of ripe Bing cherry, ripe strawberry and oak barrel. Mid weight plus flavors of well-ripened dark stone fruits, black raspberry, cola, dark chocolate and dark toffee. The fruit is rich and mellow, with accompanying streamlined tannins and a modest finish. A good introduction to a bolder style of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Score: 89. Reviewed August 24, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Cattleya Pratt Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 75 cases, $70. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Spirited aromas of lemon zest, white peach, graphite and flint holding court for a long time in the glass. This is a spiritual wine with caressing refinement, offering flavors of lemon zest, yellow grapefruit, flint and subtle toast that drape the palate. The composure is seamless and the tight-wound acidity provides brightness and crispness. Every year, this beauty is one of my favorite California Chardonnays. Pratt Vineyard is an exceptional site for Chardonnay. Score: 94. Reviewed June 9, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Sojourn Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.60, 775 cases, $42. Primarily sourced from Wohler Vineyard, with lesser contributions from Riddle, Pratt and Reuling vineyards. 100% destemmed, native yeast open-top fermentation, aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Alluring aromas of fresh cherry, dark red grape, spice and a back note of oak. The middleweight flavors of cherry, spice and herbal oak have good vibrancy and complimentary support from modest tannins. A refined, easy to like style. Score: 89. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 La Pitchoune Pratt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

13.9% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.61, 52 cases, $68. Robert Young and Mt Eden clones. Harvest Brix 23.7º. Barrel fermented, aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 33% new and 67% four years old. · Moderate golden yellow color with slight cloudiness (unfiltered) in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of oak-kissed lemon and pear. Very polished in the mouth with good fullness featuring flavors of lemon, pineapple and complimentary toasty oak. The wine finishes softly with a grapefruit-flavored flourish. Much more appealing when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Cattleya Pratt Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 65 cases, $70. Clone 15 (an old Wente clone). Native fermented and aged 16 months in French oak barrels 66% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromatically alive with scents of lemon oil, honey, toast, baking spice and caramel. Mouth filling flavors of lemon, golden apple, yellow grapefruit and toasty brioche in a discreetly rich style with inviting brightness, gracious texture, exquisite balance and a lasting finish. An seductive wine by all measures. Score: 94. Reviewed November 12, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 MacPhail Vagon Blanc Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.53, RS .11 g/100ml, 120 cases, 65$. Sourced from Pratt Vineyard Vine Hill Road and Gap’s Crown Vineyard (50% each). Mt Eden, Robert Young, and Dijon 76 and 96 clones. Barrel fermented, 100% malolactic fermentation, batonnage once weekly through primary fermentation. Aged 17 months on lees in French oak barrels, 15% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Lovely aromas of golden apple, pear and buttery brioche. Ripely flavored notes of yellow stone fruits, yellow apple, pear, lemon and honey are enticing as is the slightly viscous, seductive texture and the clean and focused finish. The fruit is the star in this wine that deftly integrates a restrained use of oak. Score: 93. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 MacPhail Pratt Vineyard Vine Hill Road Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.62, RS .09 g/100 ml., 251 cases, $45. Mt Eden, Robert Young and Dijon 96 clones. Barrel fermented, 100% malolactic fermentation, and aged 17 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 27% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Bright aromas of peeled apple, peach and acid-driven steeliness. Fully ripened flavors of peach, pear and apple are brought to a vibrant high with a lively acid backbone. Very clean and balanced, with a cleansing finish. So easy to drink, you could easily polish off a bottle before you realize it. Score: 94. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 la pitchoune Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.2% alc., pH 3.47, TA 0.59, 225 cases, $48. Sourced from Pratt, Chenoweth and Dutton-Sullivan vineyards. Clones are selections of Wente, Wente-Hyde, Robert Young and Mt. Eden. Harvest Brix 23.4º-23,9º. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 10% new, 90% twice used or older. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Enticing aromas of lemon, pineapple, blond caramel, and caramelized banana. Vivacious on the palate, with flavors of lemon, pineapple and tropical fruits. Plenty of fruit to relish, yet energetic acidity brings an uplifting tone to this marvelous wine with impeccable balance. Very easy to like on its own or paired with richly sauced white fish dishes. Score: 94. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 la pitchoune Pratt Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.1% alc., 50 cases, $58. · Moderate golden yellow with the slightest green caste and the slightest haze in the glass. Strong and persistent aromas of lemon-lime, orchard fruits, buttery brioche and wet stone. Luscious flavors of lemon, pineapple, apple, pear and spice merge in a wondrous melange of pleasure. The wine also sports welcome viscosity, impeccable balance, submissive oak, and a flat-out great finish infused with layers of fruit goodness. This wine is all about California sunshine and the Pratt Vineyard that is fast becoming one of California’s treasured Chardonnay sites. Lovers of lean, hi-acid, mineral-driven Chardonnay should stay away ( leaving more for me). I just had to buy this wine for my cellar. Score: 97. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Cattleya Pratt Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 100 cases, $70. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. A delightful wine that is very polished and hi-collar. Aromas of citrus, pear and spice carry over on the palate that adds integrated toasted oak flourishes and an acid-driven minerality that further elevates the wine. This wine has nothing out of place, is very easy to drink, and urges you to search for nuance. Score: 94. Reviewed January 16, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 MacPhail Pratt Vineyard Vine Hill Road Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.4% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.57, RS .13 gms/100 ml, 289 cases, $45. Released fall 2015. This vineyard is located on the edge of Green Valley near Forestville in the Laguna Hills region. Goldridge soil. Harvest Brix 23.3º. Mt. Eden, Robert Young and Dijon 96 clones. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. The nose offers pleasing aromas of citrus, apple and brioche. The palate is rich and lush, filled with grilled lemon, poached pear, baked apple, tropical fruit and caramel flavors. Slightly viscous, this ripe styled wine finishes long and clean. Score: 89. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Siduri Pratt Vineyard Sexton Road Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 150 cases, $52, screwcap. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Enjoyable mis of cherry, rhubarb and nutty aromas. Sappy, sweet flavors of cherry, raspberry and cola in a mid weight style with balanced tannins and complimentary oak. Very juicy and refreshing with a stylish finish. Clearly a step up in quality. Score: 92. Reviewed June 14, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 la pitchoune Pratt Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 52 cases, $58. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Fruit aromas of lemon and ripe apple are combined with notes of toasty oak and a briny hint of the sea. Slightly creamy on the palate, with flavors of salted apple and lemon creme backed by well-toasted oak. The wine is blessed with cleansing acidity and some lingering fruit on the modest finish. Score: 89. Reviewed June 19, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 MacPhail Vagon Blanc Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.52, TA 0.57, RS .18 bms/100ml, 100 cases, $65. Release fall 2015. Winemaker James MacPhail was setting out to emulate a white Burgundy-like expression of Chardonnay, drawing on his 4 favorite barrels from Pratt and Gap’s Crown vineyards. Harvest Brix 23.3º-23.9º. Clones are Mt. Eden, Robert Young, Dijon 76 and 96. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented with a blend of native and cultured yeasts, 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel, batonnage once weekly through primary fermentation, aged on lees for 17 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. (3 cigar-shaped Ermitage barrels), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Complex and engaging nose, offering aromas of cooked pear, butterscotch budino, grilled lemon and salted caramel. Flavorful tastes of lemon, pineapple, pear and yellow peach with balancing toast, finishing with bright, lemon-infused goodness and some uncommon length for a Chardonnay. Score: 92. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Cattleya Wines Pratt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.38, TA 0.69, 101 cases, $70. Pratt Vineyard is one of Sonoma County’s premier Chardonnay vineyards, owned and farmed by Jim Pratt. The vineyard was planted in 2000, and this wine is sourced from 4 rows of clone 15 (Old Wente selection). Carefully hand sorted, gently pressed, native yeast fermented for 2 months, followed by 100% malolactic fermentation. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Welcoming aromas of lemon pudding, pineapple and vanilla creme. Creamy and delicious on the palate, with flavors of pear, kiwi and grilled pineapple augmented by hints of butterscotch and nutty oak, offering impressive fruit expression, and sliding off the palate with aplomb at the finish. So beautifully composed, one is tempted to drink it all night. Score: 96. Reviewed February 5, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Siduri Pratt Vineyard-Sexton Road Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.66% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.63, 282 cases, $48. 25% whole cluster in the Pommard section of the vineyard. Other clones include 777 and 23. Unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. This is the kind of Pinot perfume that drives pinotphiles crazy. Uplifting aromas of cherry latté, spiced Halloween punch, and black raspberry preserves lead to a delicious core of sappy black raspberry, black plum and spice flavors. Mouth coating from entry to finish with complimentary oak highlights. A pleasure nest. Score: 94. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 MacPhail Pratt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.60, 223 cases, $49. Released spring 2012. Clones 23, 828, 777 and Pommard. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native fermentations, aged 11 months sur lies in 50% new French oak from multiple coopers. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Rather shy, with delicate aromas of fresh berries and cut grass. Full-bodied core of dark red and black fruits with hints of cola and dark chocolate, supported by oak-driven accents in the background. Supple tannins and notable dark fruit-driven aromatic persistence on the finish. Good now, but still very young and in need of cellaring for another two to three years. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 MacPhail Pratt Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 250 cases, $54. Clones 2A, 23, 114 and 777. · Wine-soaked wet oak, dark cherry and musky notes on the nose. Really delicious black raspberry and graham flavors which make you sit up straight. As it opens, the flavors veer toward raisin. Nice tang, grip, length and finish. Reviewed April 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

© 2003-2023 Rusty Gaffney MD | Contact the Prince: Prince@PrinceOfPinot.com | Admin Login