Dec 30, 2022
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Ancient Oak Cellars
| Owner(s) | Ken Moholt-Siebert, Melissa Moholt-Siebert |
| Web site | www.ancientoakcellars.com |
| Link to this site |
Ken Moholt-Siebert and spouse Melissa Moholt-Siebert farm the Siebert Ranch, a 31-acre ranch on the edge of Santa Rosa, California that was a sheep farm for many years owned by Ken's grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth. There are now 15 acres of Pommard 4 clone Pinot Noir planted by the Sieberts family, including Henry who initiated the plantings when he was 80 years old. A big ancient oak marks the center of the property, and provided the inspiration for the name of the winery which was launched in 2006.
Veteran winemaker Greg La Follette became the winemaker in 2014 and partner in 2016. Since then, the winery has been emphasizing vineyard-designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, mostly from vineyards that Ken farms.
A second, value-priced label is called 47 Friends.
Articles About Ancient Oak Cellars
2017 California Chardonnay All-Americans (11.15 12/16/2017)
California Dreamin’: New Releases (10.48 2/13/2017)
Ritchie Vineyard: California’s Legendary Grand Cru Chardonnay Vineyard (11.26 7/14/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (9.41 5/15/2014)
Reviewed Wines
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Appellation Series Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH
3.40, TA 0.69, 900 cases, $29. Produced primarily from Nurmi and Flyway vineyards. Native primary
and secondary fermentations, sur lie aging with battonage.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass.
Complex perfume of lemon oil, grilled pineapple, warm brioche, vanilla and chalk dust. Slightly
creamy in the mouth, displaying very tasty flavors of lemon, pineapple, pear, and salted caramel.
Nicely composed, with a lasting finish redolent of creme caramel. Rather ostentatious oak highlights,
but no complaints from me.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Single Vineyard Series Flyway Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 2.9, TA 0.57, RS <0.1 g/L, 1,500 cases, $56. Old vines. Barrel fermented with native yeasts
and sur lie aging with battonage.
·
Medium golden yellow color in the glass. Shy aromas of citrus, kumquat,
petrichor and vegemite. Moderately rich, with flavors of lemon, pineapple, orchard fruits and subtle toast.
Slightly creamy and nicely appointed with a lingering finish replete with righteous tangy lemon. A distinctive
wine that intrigues and meshes the acidity well. Tasted twice.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Single Vineyard Series Nurmi Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH
2.9, TA 0.57, RS <0.1 g/L, 1,500 cases, $56. Wente clone
planted and farmed by Paul and Gail Nurmi. Barrel fermented
with native yeast and aged sur lie with battonage.
·
Light golden
yellow color in the glass. Shy, but very pleasing aromas of
citrus, lychee, brioche and a steely note. The wine is blessed
with delicious flavors of lemon, yellow apple and the slightest barrel
toast. Excellent vibrancy with juicy lemon goodness returning in waves
on the finish. A serious offering that becomes more affectionate in the
glass over time.
Score: 94.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Reserve Series Kent Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.66, RS <0.1 g/L, 96 cases, $60. Greg La Follette made his first vineyard designated
wines twenty years ago from the Kent Ritchie Vineyard. This wine contains grapes from a selection of specific
rows. Barrel fermented with native yeast and aged sur lie for 20 months with battonage.
·
Moderate golden
yellow color in the glass. Complex nose offering a perfume of crystallized lemon, prickly pear, white flower
bouquet, earthy flora and sea breeze. The onslaught of lemon goodness wakes up the palate on entry and
expands through the mid palate. Very harmonious, with a pleasingly viscous texture, offering nuances of spice,
nutmeg, vanilla wafer, and buttery caramel. A praiseworthy wine that finishes with uncommon richness for a
Chardonnay and literally slides off the back of the palate as it exits.
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Ancient Oak Cellars Siebert Ranch Single Vineyard Series Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4%
alc., 400 cases, pH 3.50, TA 0.62. $44. Pommard 4 clone from hillside block 5 planted by Henry Siebert when
he was 80-years-old. Mostly native fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% new.
·
Moderately
light reddish purple color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and smoky oak. The
wine makes a good impression on entry, the mid palate and finish, offering mid weight flavors of black cherry,
black raspberry and cola with a supportive riff of toasty oak. Offering good harmony, this wine finishes with
length and purpose.
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Ancient Oak Cellars Alcman Siebert Ranch Reserve Series Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4%
alc., $58. Wine named after Alcman, the earliest of nine great Greek lyric poets known for clarity of tone and
rich visual description.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very sensual perfume of dark fruits, rose
petal, peppery spices and oak. Impeccably balanced, with plenty of black cherry and black raspberry goodness
accented with spice and cola. Sleek in texture and very charming, with enough structure to age. A classy wine.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2011 Ancient Oak Cellars Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.63, 900 cases, $28.
Sourced from estate vineyard and small sustainably-farmed family vineyards. Whole berry fermented, aged in
25% new French oak.
·
Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, dried herbs and balsam.
Sweet and sappy cherry and red currant core with a hint of spice. Well integrated oak and bright acidity on the
cherry-themed finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed May 15, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Ancient Oak Cellars Siebert Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.61, 300 cases, $40. Pommard 4 clone from hillside
Block 5, aged for more than 18 months in 35% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Invigorating aromas of fresh cherry
pie, strawberry preserves and Asian spice. Beautifully composed with bright
flavors of perfectly ripened cherries and strawberries. Harmonious and vibrant
with modest tannins, welcoming finesse and easy drink ability. Still singing the
following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 92.
Reviewed May 15, 2014
ARTICLE »
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Appellation Series Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.69, 900 cases, $29. Produced primarily from Nurmi and Flyway vineyards. Native primary and secondary fermentations, sur lie aging with battonage. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Complex perfume of lemon oil, grilled pineapple, warm brioche, vanilla and chalk dust. Slightly creamy in the mouth, displaying very tasty flavors of lemon, pineapple, pear, and salted caramel. Nicely composed, with a lasting finish redolent of creme caramel. Rather ostentatious oak highlights, but no complaints from me. Score: 89. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Single Vineyard Series Flyway Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 2.9, TA 0.57, RS <0.1 g/L, 1,500 cases, $56. Old vines. Barrel fermented with native yeasts and sur lie aging with battonage. · Medium golden yellow color in the glass. Shy aromas of citrus, kumquat, petrichor and vegemite. Moderately rich, with flavors of lemon, pineapple, orchard fruits and subtle toast. Slightly creamy and nicely appointed with a lingering finish replete with righteous tangy lemon. A distinctive wine that intrigues and meshes the acidity well. Tasted twice. Score: 89. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Single Vineyard Series Nurmi Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 2.9, TA 0.57, RS <0.1 g/L, 1,500 cases, $56. Wente clone planted and farmed by Paul and Gail Nurmi. Barrel fermented with native yeast and aged sur lie with battonage. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Shy, but very pleasing aromas of citrus, lychee, brioche and a steely note. The wine is blessed with delicious flavors of lemon, yellow apple and the slightest barrel toast. Excellent vibrancy with juicy lemon goodness returning in waves on the finish. A serious offering that becomes more affectionate in the glass over time. Score: 94. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Reserve Series Kent Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.66, RS <0.1 g/L, 96 cases, $60. Greg La Follette made his first vineyard designated wines twenty years ago from the Kent Ritchie Vineyard. This wine contains grapes from a selection of specific rows. Barrel fermented with native yeast and aged sur lie for 20 months with battonage. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Complex nose offering a perfume of crystallized lemon, prickly pear, white flower bouquet, earthy flora and sea breeze. The onslaught of lemon goodness wakes up the palate on entry and expands through the mid palate. Very harmonious, with a pleasingly viscous texture, offering nuances of spice, nutmeg, vanilla wafer, and buttery caramel. A praiseworthy wine that finishes with uncommon richness for a Chardonnay and literally slides off the back of the palate as it exits. Score: 92. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Ancient Oak Cellars Siebert Ranch Single Vineyard Series Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 400 cases, pH 3.50, TA 0.62. $44. Pommard 4 clone from hillside block 5 planted by Henry Siebert when he was 80-years-old. Mostly native fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and smoky oak. The wine makes a good impression on entry, the mid palate and finish, offering mid weight flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and cola with a supportive riff of toasty oak. Offering good harmony, this wine finishes with length and purpose. Score: 92. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Ancient Oak Cellars Alcman Siebert Ranch Reserve Series Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $58. Wine named after Alcman, the earliest of nine great Greek lyric poets known for clarity of tone and rich visual description. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very sensual perfume of dark fruits, rose petal, peppery spices and oak. Impeccably balanced, with plenty of black cherry and black raspberry goodness accented with spice and cola. Sleek in texture and very charming, with enough structure to age. A classy wine. Score: 93. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2011 Ancient Oak Cellars Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.63, 900 cases, $28. Sourced from estate vineyard and small sustainably-farmed family vineyards. Whole berry fermented, aged in 25% new French oak. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, dried herbs and balsam. Sweet and sappy cherry and red currant core with a hint of spice. Well integrated oak and bright acidity on the cherry-themed finish. Score: 89. Reviewed May 15, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Ancient Oak Cellars Siebert Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.61, 300 cases, $40. Pommard 4 clone from hillside Block 5, aged for more than 18 months in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Invigorating aromas of fresh cherry pie, strawberry preserves and Asian spice. Beautifully composed with bright flavors of perfectly ripened cherries and strawberries. Harmonious and vibrant with modest tannins, welcoming finesse and easy drink ability. Still singing the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed May 15, 2014 ARTICLE »