Vineyard: Kessler-Haak

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Recent Sips of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.27 7/21/2018)
Recent Sips of Chardonnay (9.40 4/17/2014)
Pinots to Covet (8.40 6/30/2011)
Recently Tasted Notable California Pinot Noirs (10.35 8/16/2016)
Recent Sips of Chardonnay (10.6 3/15/2015)
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.41 11/8/2016)
Seal Beach Winery (11.1 3/29/2017)
More Sips of California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (9.20 2/26/2013)
Embarrassment of Riches: California (9.1 1/11/2012)
Loring Wine Company (11.39 2/22/2019)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (10.22 12/12/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.10 9/24/2017)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.43 11/30/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Wines (9.39 3/29/2014)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Samsara
Loring Wine Company
RASI Wine Company
Weatherborne Wine Corp
Kessler-Haak Vineyard & Wines
Seal Beach Winery
Liquid Farm
Carr Vineyards & Winery

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Loring Wine Company Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.72, 400 cases, $29, screw cap. Sourced from Rancho La Viña, Kessler-Haak and Sierra Madre vineyards. Clones 113, 115, 667 and 777. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Subdued aromas of dark fruits, tea leaves and char. Very ripe and sweet black cherry, blackberry and black raspberry fruit flavors. Mouth filling extraction with soft tannins and good fruit intensity on the finish. The texture is plush and seductive but the wine does not have the vibrancy of the Cooper Jaxon. Score: 88. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 Loring Wine Company Kessler-Haak Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.56, 200 cases, $44, screw cap. Sweeney Canyon selection. Barrel fermented and aged 10 months in 50% French oak (20% new) and 50% American oak (20% new). · Aromas of lemon meringue, pineapple and seashore reveal themselves slowly in the glass. Delightful flavors of lemon-lime, pineapple, creme, saltine and a hint of gracious oak. Slightly viscous in the mouth, with expanding flavors that trail off through a vivid finish. A classy, sophisticated wine that confirms the opinion of many that the Sta. Rita Hills is the best region for Chardonnay in California. Score: 94. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 Loring Wine Company Kessler-Haak Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.71, 200 cases, $54, screw cap. Clones 113, 115, 667 and 777. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding aromas of fertile earth and wine cave. A charge of boisterous black raspberry and blackberry fruit greets the palate, fills every nook and cranny in the mouth, and exits with aplomb. Velvety in texture with noticeable, but not intrusive tannins. Score: 92. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Kessler-Haak Ohana Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 635 cases, $N/A. Clones 115, 777, 667, 114 and 2A. Aged 10 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 18% new. “Ohana” is Hawaiian for family. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Lovely aromas of cherry and underbrush. Streamlined and easy to like in the mouth, with a mid weight core of black cherry fruit framed by modest tannins. Not particularly complex, but my notes include “enjoyable,” “giving,” and “agreeable.” The oak is deftly managed in this wine. Score: 92. Reviewed July 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Loring Wine Company Kessler-Haak Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.61, 300 cases, $54, screwcap. · Moderately dark reddish purple hue in the glass. The nose is quite fruity, offering aromas of black cherry and blueberry-pomegranate. Delicious mid weight plus blueberry, blackberry, black raspberry, plum and spice flavors that are intense and energetic. A sublime wine with enviable balance, submerged tannins, and a rich, sappy follow through to a boisterous finish. Score: 93. Reviewed October 30, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Kessler-Haak Estate Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 360 cases, $N/A. Clones 115, 667 and 777. Aged 10 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of dark fruits and oak barrel in harmony. Fruit-driven in a mid weight style, showing fruit flavors of black cherry and blackberry. Rather seamless, with an easygoing character and a modest finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose expressed more black cherry and spice goodness. Score: 90. Reviewed July 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Kessler-Haak Reserve Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 100 cases, $N/A. Clones 115 and 777. Aged 10 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 25% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding aromas of dark fruits and cigar. Serious purple berry sap is underlain with noticeable oak compliments. The fine grain tannins are well integrated and the overall impression is agreeable. The finish shows some length appropriate for a reserve bottling. Score: 91. Reviewed July 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Seal Beach Winery Kessler-Haak Vineyard Clone 2A Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc.. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of black berries, underbrush, and rose petal. Sleek in the mouth with flavors of black raspberry and blackberry along with a subtle green herbal thread. Nicely integrated tannins, with some finishing power. Score: 90. Reviewed September 24, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Seal Beach Winery Kessler-Haak Vineyard Clone 667 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc.. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, fresh mulch and bark. The mid weight essence of black cherry and blackberry fruit is clothed in oak-driven spice and tobacco that tends to integrate over time in the glass.. The mouthfeel is lush and sleek, the tannins are well integrated and the finish offers good generosity. Score: 91. 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 Weatherborne Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.65, 450 cases, $35, screwcap. Released April 2016. Winemaker Chris Carter is a one-man operation producing one wine. Composed of grapes from John Sebastiano (72%) and Kessler-Haak (18%) vineyards. Harvest Brix 23.9º. 38% whole cluster, aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 10% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, purple grape and sandalwood are followed in the mouth by a juicy, mid weight core of cherry delight that attacks with intention and brings the mid palate to life. Smooth and comforting, with commendable oak management and a delightful, spice-laden finish. Score: 91. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 RASI 3 Barrels Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $42. A blend of fruit from Kessler-Haak, Clos Pepe and Rancho La Viña vineyards produced by the assistant winemaker, Rachel Silkowski, at Loring Wine Company. Second vintage. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, this wine sports flamboyant aromas of black cherry, spice and tobacco oak, and delicious flavors of perfectly ripened black cherry and black raspberry fruits clothed in fine grain tannins. Generous on the attack, then building in intensity on the palate, and offering an extended finish with deft integration of oak. This wine really stands out. Score: 93. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Loring Wine Company Kessler-Haak Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.62, 300 cases, $50. Release February 2016. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry are dominated by oak driven vanilla and cigar box. The core of black cherry and loganberry fruit is quite vibrant due to a lively backbone of acidity which sticks out a bit. A thread of tobacco and ash sticks out. About the same the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Solid, but not special. Score: 87. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Kessler-Haak Ohana Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 650 cases, $40. Clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, and Wädenswil 2A. Aged in French oak barrels, 17% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Initially, the nose is primarily savory with aromas of earthy flora, brier and barrel, with shy cherry fruit showing up over time in the glass. Discreetly concentrated, juicy and silky, with a mid weight core of black cherry and dark berry fruits accented with notes of anise, tea leaf and dark chocolate. Good balance, with a modest finish. Score: 89. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Kessler-Haak Four Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 50 cases, $42. 100% Pommard. Aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Soaring aromas of cherry, spice, bark and rose petal. Modest in weight, but highly flavorful, with a well-spiced core of fresh cherry fruit framed by supportive oak. The cherry fruit is perfectly ripened with appropriate phenolic expression. Highlights include silky tannins, immersed alcohol, and a hedonistic finish that really holds on. For me, Pommard clearly produces the most engaging single clone wine among all the Pinot Noir clones. Score: 92. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Kessler-Haak Intuition Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.21% alc., 50 cases, $42. 100% Wädenswil 2A. Aged in French oak barrels, 0% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is primary, with little to report other than aromas of potpourri. More giving on the palate, with a robust core of well-ripened black raspberry and blackberry fruits underlain with a green note, finishing with juicy, slightly tart acidity. This clone is known for providing aromatic lift, but it is absent in this wine. Score: 87. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Kessler-Haak Sanctuary Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 150 cases, $42. 50% clone 113 and 50% clone 114. Aged in French oak barrels, 10% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Pleasant scents of cherry pie, bakery and toast. Rich and bold in a mid weight plus style, filled with luscious black cherry fruit that saturates the mid palate, yet silky and polished and easy to like. Fruit-driven and plush, and hard to resist. Score: 90. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Kessler-Haak Symphony Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.04% alc., 75 cases, $42. 50% clone 115 and 50% clone 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is primary, offering little to describe. The big boy of the lineup, with generous bass in this symphony. Fullboded flavors of black fruits and mocha with oak seasoning in the background. Satiny in the mouth, with firm but slippery tannins, finishing with a bold charge of fruit. Cellaring would be advised to allow time for the nose to arrive. Score: 90. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Kessler-Haak Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

14.6% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.61, dry. 65 cases, $29. Estate grown fruit. Yield 1.7 tons per acre. Clones 95, 96, 76. Barrel fermented and barrel aged sur lie for 8 months in 15% new French oak barrels. · Mild golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The pleasing fruit aromas of lemon and golden apple are somewhat obscured by a toasty, nutty oak topcoat. Discreetly rich on the palate with flavors of baked apple, poached pear and citrus peel, finishing with a burst of refreshing citrus. Slightly creamy in texture. Oak is less intrusive on the palate than on the nose. Improves over time in the glass. Score: 88. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Kessler-Haak Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 425 cases, $38. Estate grown fruit. Vineyard owned by Dan Kessler and his spouse Ellen Haak Kessler. Winemaker is Dan Kessler. Yield 0.96 tons per acre. Clones 114, 115, 777 and 2A. Aged 9 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of dark berry preserves, cardamom spice and briar. Light in weight but flavorful, with notes of blackberry, cassis and plum infused with bright, juicy acidity. A vein of savory, dried herbs and oak is in the background. The tannins are well integrated and the wine is quite open now. Score: 88. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Liquid Farm “White Hill” Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

13.8% alc., 988 cases, $40. Sourced from Bent Rock (63%), Zotovich, Kessler-Haak, Rita’s Crown, Huber, Radian and Clos Pepe vineyards. Aged 12 months in neutral oak with 18% stainless steel aging. · Pale golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon, pineapple, peach, vanilla cream and ocean air. Highly pleasurable on the palate, with crisp lemon-driven flavor accented with baking spice, vanillin, and acid-driven minerality. Modest in weight with a fresh, citrusladen finish. Score: 91. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Liquid Farm White Hill Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

13.8% alc., 988 cases, $40. 63% Bentrock, 16% Zotovich, 8% Rita’s Crown, 6% Huber, 4% Clos Pepe, 3% Radian, and 1% Kessler-Haak vineyards. A homage to Chablis-styled Old World Chardonnay. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of white peach, apple, citrus peel, nut oils and smoky oak. Slightly creamy, with an array of flavors including lemon pie, apple, pear, toffee and fleur-de-sel. Less boisterous than many California Chardonnays, but very pleasing, with a good riff of underlying acidity, and a satisfying lemon drop finish. Score: 92. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Kessler-Haak Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

13.4% alc., , RS 0.96, 50 cases, $29. Estate grown fruit. Yield 0.46 tons per acre. Clones 95, 76. Barrel fermented and barrel aged 8 months sur lie in 50% new French oak, 100% MLF. · Pale golden yellow and clear in the glass. The nose exhibits aromas of lemon rind, ripe apple, buttered brioche and pavement after rain. Bright flavors of lemon, poached pear, blonde caramel and vanilla infused with a spark of nervy minerality, complimented by nutty oak in the background. Score: 88. Reviewed March 29, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Kessler-Haak Kessler-Haak Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 225 cases, $38. Yield 1.2 tons per acre. Clones 115, 667 and 777. Aged in 33% new French oak barrels for 9 months. Unfined. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Dusty earth and oak vanillin aromas compliment the spicy black raspberry nose. Moderately full bodied with flavorful dark red and black fruits, a sidecar of spice, and a good lick of citrus-driven acidity on the back end. Shows the intense fruit balanced with a firm structure and bright acidity so typical of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Held up well over night from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Kessler-Haak Kessler-Haak Vineyard Clone 2A Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 50 cases, $42. Yield 0.7 tons per acre. Aged 9 months in neutral French oak barrels. Unfined. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Dark red and black cherry and berry preserve aromas and flavors are featured in a mid weight wine with muscular tannins and a good kick of acidity on the finish. A little smoother and less tannic the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. For those who like their Pinot rugged and firm. Good. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Kessler-Haak Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pommard Clone Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 50 cases, $42. Aged 9 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Unfined. · The nose leads with aromas of deeply colored cherries and berries, plum sauce, beet root and dried rose petal. Striking black cherry flavor which expands in the mouth, picking up accents of spice along the way, finishing with a big kiss of cherry. Complimentary backbone of lively acidity and well-mannered tannins. I have said it many times and I will say it again: Pommard is my paramour (and the alliteration is pretty good too). Very good. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Samsara Kesslar-Haak Vineyards Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 162 cases, $38. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very reserved nose offering hints of dark berries, spice, stem and oak. The fruit-powered attack of plum and black raspberry is flanked by mildly aggressive tannins, with the fruit flavors falling off quickly on the finish. Tasted the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the aromatics were still lacking, but the fruit was more vibrant and appealing. Good (+). Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Carr Kessler-Haak Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5%, 172 cases, $50. This vineyard was planted in 2005 and has 26 acres of Pinot Noir. Yields were 1.5 tons per acre. Clones 114, 2A and Pommard. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. · Demure aromas of black raspberries and dark strawberries with a kiss of spice, forest floor and oak. A symphony of delicious black raspberry, rhubarb and plum flavors that really attract your attention. Tannins are well-proportioned and the mouthfeel is all silk and satin. A tasty, seamless wine that really attracts your attention. Reviewed July 1, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »