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: Leras Family

AppellationRussian River Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Screen Door Cellars Leras Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 50 cases, $65. Release February 1, 2019. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Lovely perfume of black cherry, dark strawberry and botanical aromas. Delicious essence of fresh black cherry with a hint of spice and toasty oak in the background. Sleek and seamless in the mouth, with a stellar finish that harkens another sip. Score: 93. Reviewed February 3, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Roadhouse Winery Pink Label Leras Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.90, TA 0.60, 325 cases, $69. Martini clone planted in 1973. Harvest Brix 25.2º. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, BGR yeast primary fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Dark garnet color in the glass. The nose lacks charm, offering only vegetal and cooked cherry aromas. Plush and velvety on the palate with very ripe, even stewed-tasting dark fruits with oak plying the background. The alcohol is tucked in on the modest finish. Score: 86. Reviewed June 9, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Screen Door Cellars Leras Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 50 cases, $65. The Leras family has been farming grapes for over 75 years. This vineyard is planted to Pommard, “828,” and 667 clones. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Terrific nose with profuse aromas of dark cherry and raspberry, spices including sage, white pepper and a hint of vanilla. An abundance of black cherry and cola flavors are accented with a back note of charcuterie and oak vanillin. Smooth in the mouth with immersed tannins and a charitable finish. Most notable is that this wine grew in appeal over time and was considerably better when tasted from a previously opened bottle later in the day. Score: 94. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Screen Door Cellars Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 25 cases, $65. Primarily Pommard clone. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of Bing cherry, spice and rose petal. Soft and polished on the palate, with middleweight flavors of well-spiced red and black cherry fruits. The suave tannins make for easy drinking and the cherry-driven finish is remarkably long. The wine was even better when drank from a previously opened and re-corked bottle showing more fruit intensity and glorious spice. Score: 93. Reviewed March 12, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 George Vintage XII Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $188 cases, $60. Forty-year-old Dijon and Pommard clone plantings. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy, with dominant aromas of toast and campfire and a lack of fruit appeal. Ripe and sappy, with mid weight plus flavors of blackest cherry, blackberry and baking spices overlain with toasty oak. Tannins and acidity are complimentary, but the wine finishes with a slight sense of alcoholic warmth. Score: 88. Reviewed April 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Screen Door Cellars Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 180 cases, $50. Sourced from Leras Family Vineyard. Primarily Pommard clone, with a small portion of “828” and 115 cofermented. Aged 11 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light cherry color in the glass. Soaring aromas of Bing cherry, baking spice and toast set the stage. On entry, the mouthful of cherry goodness really opens your eyes, and accent flavors of cola, cardamom and oak add interest. The wine is beautifully composed, with balanced tannins and an expansive black cherry finish that will bring you to your knees. Quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. I loved it! Score: 94. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Papapietro Perry Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.60, 1,275 cases, $58. 13-year-old Pommard clones, and newer vine clones including Beringer Heritage, 115, 667 and 777. Harvest Brix 23.9º. 2-3 day cold soak, several inoculated yeasts cultured specifically for Pinot Noir. Aged at least 11 months in Francois Frères French oak barrels, 40% new, 40% 1-year-old and 20% 2-year-old. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, rose petal and pine sap lead to a discreetly concentrated core of red cherry, cranberry and pomegranate fruit flavors accented with plenty of spice and a thread of oak in the background. The wine is fueled with citrus-driven acidity that is evident on the slightly tart finish. Score: 90. Reviewed October 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 george Vintage XI Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 148 cases, $60. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is generously endowed with lovely aromas of black cherry, dark rose petal, conifer forest and a hint of oak. The mid weight essence of Bing cherry really impresses on the mid palate, carrying over with lushness and length on the finish which lasts at least 30 seconds. Very juicy, with hints of black raspberry and oak vanillin. Substantial youthful, dry tannins guarantee age ability. Score: 92. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Papapietro Perry Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 1,245 cases, $56. Vineyard is located on River Road behind Martinelli’s tasting room. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. This wine shows an inviting interplay between cherry and berry fruits and oak. Discreetly concentrated, with a good attack, chewy tannins, and a welcome touch of oak spice on the finish. Score: 90. Reviewed May 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 George Vintage X Lera’s Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 165 cases, $60. Pommard and Dijon clones. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Very aromatic with hi tone scents of black cherry, Moroccan spices, tobacco-laden oak and a hint of barnyard. Impressive fullness on the mid palate with layers of black cherry, black raspberry, tar and tobacco flavors. Nicely composed with balanced tannins and a spicy, black cherry finish that entices. Score: 91. Reviewed January 20, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 george Vintage IX Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Sonoma County Pinot Noir

13.3% alc.,199 cases, $60. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. A terrific expression of Pinot Noir with hi-tone aromas of fresh, spiced black cherries and a discreetly concentrated core of black cherry and black raspberry flavors. The nose really makes you stop and take notice. Very approachable with gentle tannins and a good cut of acidity on the citrus-hued finish. There is a very slight vegetal note in the background, reflecting some lack of ripeness. Still the wine is a beautiful expression of the vintage and Very good. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 B.R. Cohn Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc.,pH 3.60, TA 0.63, 2,400 cases, $40. Sourced from Lera’s and Dutton vineyards. Average vine age 12 to 17 years. Clones 667, 777 and Pommard. Whole berry and whole cluster fermented with natural and Assmanshausen yeasts. Aged 19 months in 64% new and 36% 1-year-old French oak barrels. Winemaker Tom Montgomery. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Very aromatic initially, offering bright aromas of Bing cherries, cola and toasty oak. Discreetly concentrated core of nicely ripened Bing cherry fruit with accents of cola, mocha, brown spice and oak flavors clothed in soft, dry tannins. The immensely appealing velvety mouth feel is a clincher. This wine will have wide appeal. Score: 91. Reviewed September 29, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 B.R. Cohn Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.63, 2,400 cases, $40. 44% Lera’s and 56% Dutton vineyards. Clones 667, 777 and Pommard, average age 12 to 17 years. Whole berry and whole cluster fermentation with natural and inoculated yeasts. Aged 19 months in 64% new and 36% 1-year-old French oak barrels from several cooperages. Previously reviewed 9/29/13. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromatically alive with scents of strawberry preserve, cherry, vanilla and haunting oak. Mid weight flavors of ripe strawberry, black cherry, cola, mocha and sassafras with some toasty oak in the background. Very Caliesque in style with full-on extraction and generous oak treatment. The fruit is well balanced by firm tannins, the mouth feel is velvety, and the wine finishes with good intensity albeit showing a hint of heat. Score: 89. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 george Vintage VIII Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 195 cases, $60. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of fresh cherry pie, baking spice and dried rose petals rise out of the glass. A charming wine that is light in weight but full-flavored with notes of redder cherries and berries, Chinese 5-spice and herbs, finishing with a spark of citrus driven acidity. A gentle, graceful wine. Very good (+). Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 george Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

83 cases, $50. A favorite in Vegas. · This is the densest wine in the lineup with oodles of purple, even meaty, fruit. Everything is pulled together nicely with a deft touch of oak and well balanced acidity. The rich fruit steals the show, but the wine is focused like a laser, leaving a seductive, satisfying and lingering impression. Very good. Reviewed December 16, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Papapietro Perry Leras Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.701, 1,020 cases, $54. Pommard and Dijon 115, 667, and 777 clones. The Pommard is about 13 years old.Aged 11 months in 50% new and 50% 1 and 2-year old French oak. · Very lovely perfume of Bing cherries, red roses and spice box with a subtle with a subtle notion of oak. Medium-weighted flavors of black cherries, ripe berries, cola and sassafras. Fruit flavors veer to the ripe side but remain in tune. Silky and charming with fine-grain tannins. Very good. Reviewed April 11, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Papapietro Perry Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 1,235 cases, $49. This vineyard is located centrally in the Russian River Valley, one road east of River Road behind Martinelli Winery. Several clones including Pommard, Beringer and Dijon 115, 667, 777 and 828. · This wine smells of the forest with oak and floral highlights. Juicy strawberry, cranberry and cherry fruit flavors. Herbs, oak and toast are evident but subtle. The fruit is pulled into line by a spark of acidity. Hi-toned, elegant and very satisfying. Reviewed May 7, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 george Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 85 cases, $50. Primarily Dijon clones with some Pommard. George says Vegas loves this wine. · Intoxicating aromas of fresh cherry and raspberry fruit. I wanted to dive in. Medium-weighted, with juicy sweet fruit that is perfectly ripe. Clean and lively on the finish. This is one I could snuggle up to. Reviewed November 2, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Papapietro Perry Leras Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 950 cases, $46. This vineyard is located off Woolsey Road and is planted to Pommard, 115, 667 and 777 clones of Pinot Noir. The wine was aged for 11 months in 50% new Francois Freres oak. Lovely hi-tone cherry aromas. · Flavors are cherry driven with attractive side notes of herbs, cocoa, cola, spice and a pinch of oak. Modest in weight and light on its feet, this wine oozes finesse and charm. Well crafted and recommended. Reviewed January 20, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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