Dec 30, 2022
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Gros Ventre Cellars
| Owner(s) | Chris Pettinger, Sarah Pittenger |
| Web site | www.grosventrecellars.com |
| Link to this site |
A producer of small lot Pinot Noir from cool climate vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The inaugural releases came from the 2009 vintage (Baranoff Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir and First Born Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir).
Chris and Sarah Pittenger launched the idea of this winery on the banks of Gros Ventre River in Jackson Hole where they met in 2003. They were to call Sarah's pregnant belly "Gros Ventre (French for "big belly") and soon thereafter name their wine brand for their son John Henry and the beautiful place they met.
Chris Pittenger spent time as a sommelier and developing his winemaking skills at wineries that include Biale, Torbreck, Williams Selyem, and Marcassin. The six vintages spent at these wineries gave him the knowledge to work with Pinot Noir.
The wines are available through the winery's online store.
Articles About Gros Ventre Cellars
Part IV: Tasting Pinot Noir from the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA (9.28 8/14/2013)
Pinot Briefs (9.3 2/22/2012)
Pinots to Covet (8.40 6/30/2011)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.32 6/18/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (9.34 12/17/2013)
Reviewed Wines
2013 gros ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 65 cases, $Sold out.
Sourced from a 3-acre vineyard farmed by Paul Sloan of Small Vines. The vineyard is planted to seven clones
with high-density spacing. Native yeast fermentation, bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish purple
hue in the glass. This wine has Russian River Valley typicality, with aromas and flavors of Bing cherry,
strawberry, spice and cola. Inviting elegance, with suave tannins and a modest finish. When tasted the
following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was still alive and cherry-driven.
Score: 89.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 262 cases, $44. A blend of grapes from Baranoff
Vineyard, Campbell Ranch and undisclosed source. Clones are Pommard, Swan, Calera, 115, 777, 667, 459
and 113. 5-day cold soak, aged 11 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 8% new. Bottled unfined and
unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry, oak cask and bruised apple.
Mid weight plus sweet flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and blackberry are framed by fine-grain tannins
that create a lovely texture, and the wine finishes with some length.
Score: 87.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 143 cases, $48. Fifth release
from this vineyard located at 800 feet above the valley floor just east of Boonville. Farmed by the Knez family
and managed by Anthony Filiberti. Clones Pommard 667 and 115. 5-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation,
aged on the lees in French oak barrels, 17% new, for 11 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate
reddish purple color in the glass. Perfume of blueberries, black leather, potting soil, and bruised apple.
Somewhat rugged and rustic, with a mid weight core of black raspberry and plum flavors that are earth infused.
The finish is the most inviting feature of the wine, showing bright acidity, even a slight tartness, and generous
fruit.
Score: 88.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre Campbell Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 187 cases, $54. Third
release from this extreme coastal vineyard in the hamlet of Annapolis in West Sonoma County. The vineyard
has recently been farmed to its full potential by Ulises Valdez. Clones 115 and 777. 5-day cold soak, native
yeast fermentation, aged on the lees in French oak barrels, 13% new, for 11 months. Bottled unfined and
unfiltered.
·
Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Dreamy aromas of cherry, rose petal, spice and
sandalwood. Satiny and elegant on the palate, with a charge of cherry and strawberry flavors with a noticeable,
but not imposing, herbal oak overlay. Gossamer tannins made for easy like ability, and the finish enticed with
an oak-kissed cherry theme.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre First Born Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 165 cases, $64. A blend of undisclosed
source in the Ft Ross-Seaview AVA. (72%), Campbell Ranch (14%) and Baranoff Vineyard (14%). Clones are
Pommard, Calera, 115, 777, 667, 459 and 113. Flagship cuvée representing a barrel selection of the best lots
in the vintage. 5-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged on the gross lees in French oak barrels, 57%
new, for 18 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Welcoming
aromas of blackberry, blueberry and pomegranate. Heady fruit flavors of blackberry and black raspberry are
embellished with spice and tobacco notes. The tannins are silky and the finish is spectacularly long. The only
features that detract are a heavy lean of oak and a slight sense of warmth on the ending, both of which I can
overlook because of the wine’s other merits.
Score: 91.
Reviewed June 18, 2016
ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 97 cases, $48. This
vineyard is farmed by Paul Sloan of Small Vines. A 3-acre parcel located in the Laguna de Santa Rosa in
Sebastopol, the vineyard is planted to high-density 4’ x 4’ spacing of 7 clones. This wine is a blend of the 7
clones (Calera, Swan, 113, 115, 459, 667, 777). Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the
glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black cherry liquor, cassis and bramble. Densely concentrated flavors
of black cherries, black raspberries and cola with a bit of smoky oak showing up in the background and on the
finish. Rather linear and bland now, the wine fails to reveal anything distinctive about its vineyard origins, but
clearly shows its Russian River Valley origins. Revisit in 6 to 12 months.
Score: 88.
Reviewed December 18, 2013
ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 176 cases, $48. Pommard 5
and Dijon 115. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass.
Aromas of cola, spice and smoky oak lead to a rich palate of plum and blackberry fruit robed in smoky,
tobacco-laced oak. Full-bodied, fruity and earthy with supportive tannins and well integrated acidity. Although
not particularly expressive now and showing too much oak sheen, this wine may integrate and surprise with
further cellaring.
Score: 87.
Reviewed December 18, 2013
ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre Campbell Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 110 cases, $54, sold
out. Inaugural release from this vineyard located in Annapolis and managed by Ulises Valdez. Clones 115 and
777.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose becomes more expressive over time in the
glass revealing aromas of dark berries, game, floral bouquet, and sweet mesquite smoke. Silky smooth on the
palate with flowery black cherry, plum and spice flavors in a full-bodied style. The tannins are nicely balanced
and the oak is well integrated. A slight vegetal undertone surfaces over time in the glass.
Score: 88.
Reviewed December 18, 2013
ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre First Born Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 155
cases, $58. A noticeable leap up in quality among the wines of this vintage. This
is the winery’s flagship cuvée which is a barrel selection of the best lots of the
vintage. This wine is dominated by fruit from a vineyard perched at 1,000 feet
above sea level along the true Sonoma Coast in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA.
·
Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Magnetic aromas of dark red fruits,
spice and seasoned oak. Discreetly concentrated black cherry, plum, cola, dried
herbs and toasty oak flavors wrapped in ripe, svelte tannins. Impressive
balance with noteworthy finishing length and intensity. Still young, but sends a
message.
Score: 92.
Reviewed December 18, 2013
ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 50 cases, $44. From a 3-acre vineyard in the heart of
Sebastopol. This wine is a blend of the 7 Pinot Noir clones on the site:
Calera, Swan, 113, 115, 459, 667 and 777. The clones were co-fermented
and aged together on their lees. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark
reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red berries and black
cherries with a hint of baking spices, oak and lavender. Even with decanting
the wine is a bit closed, but opens some in the glass over time. Crisp and
vivid core of Bing cherry and strawberry fruit with a swirl of cola and oak.
Medium weighted with nice balance and finesse, and offering a lengthy finish.
Drank beautifully two days later from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle. No hurry on this one. Very good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 151 cases, $44. A combination of Pommard 5 (one-third)
and 2A (two-thirds) clones from this steeply sloped vineyard
overlooking the Anderson Valley. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately
dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding black fruits with a hint of
sweet oak on the nose which opens slowly in the glass. Delicious core
of perfectly ripe and well-bred black and purple Pinot fruits. A little savory,
spicy and earthy. Ideal weight, balance and flavor intensity with a generous
finish marked by brisk acidity. A complete wine that shows breeding. Decant
if you open a bottle now, but patience will bring further rewards.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 151 cases, $44. Pommard 5
and Wädenswil. 100% de-stemmed, native fermentations. Aged 10 months in 50% new French oak barrels.
Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Well oaked with noticeable spice and savory accents. Generous purple fruit flavors
with bright acidity on the elegant finish. Needs more time to integrate the oak. Very good (-).
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre First Born Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 101
cases, $50. A flagship cuveé representing the best lots of a vintage. This
bottling is dominated by fruit sourced from an unnamed vineyard along the true
Sonoma Coast.
·
Dark and densely colored in the glass. The nose leaps out
from the glass with of scents of spiced black cherries, raspberries, plums and
faint herbal oak. Rich and intense, saturating the palate with plush sweet fruits
that find every nook and cranny in the mouth. Lively natural acidity maintains
the wine’s vitality and supple tannins make for smooth, seductive drinking. This
wine is a little too busty for me but it will find many fans. Decanting is
obligatory. Very good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 65 cases, $Sold out. Sourced from a 3-acre vineyard farmed by Paul Sloan of Small Vines. The vineyard is planted to seven clones with high-density spacing. Native yeast fermentation, bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. This wine has Russian River Valley typicality, with aromas and flavors of Bing cherry, strawberry, spice and cola. Inviting elegance, with suave tannins and a modest finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was still alive and cherry-driven. Score: 89. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 262 cases, $44. A blend of grapes from Baranoff Vineyard, Campbell Ranch and undisclosed source. Clones are Pommard, Swan, Calera, 115, 777, 667, 459 and 113. 5-day cold soak, aged 11 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 8% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry, oak cask and bruised apple. Mid weight plus sweet flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and blackberry are framed by fine-grain tannins that create a lovely texture, and the wine finishes with some length. Score: 87. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 143 cases, $48. Fifth release from this vineyard located at 800 feet above the valley floor just east of Boonville. Farmed by the Knez family and managed by Anthony Filiberti. Clones Pommard 667 and 115. 5-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged on the lees in French oak barrels, 17% new, for 11 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Perfume of blueberries, black leather, potting soil, and bruised apple. Somewhat rugged and rustic, with a mid weight core of black raspberry and plum flavors that are earth infused. The finish is the most inviting feature of the wine, showing bright acidity, even a slight tartness, and generous fruit. Score: 88. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre Campbell Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 187 cases, $54. Third release from this extreme coastal vineyard in the hamlet of Annapolis in West Sonoma County. The vineyard has recently been farmed to its full potential by Ulises Valdez. Clones 115 and 777. 5-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged on the lees in French oak barrels, 13% new, for 11 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Dreamy aromas of cherry, rose petal, spice and sandalwood. Satiny and elegant on the palate, with a charge of cherry and strawberry flavors with a noticeable, but not imposing, herbal oak overlay. Gossamer tannins made for easy like ability, and the finish enticed with an oak-kissed cherry theme. Score: 90. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 gros ventre First Born Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 165 cases, $64. A blend of undisclosed source in the Ft Ross-Seaview AVA. (72%), Campbell Ranch (14%) and Baranoff Vineyard (14%). Clones are Pommard, Calera, 115, 777, 667, 459 and 113. Flagship cuvée representing a barrel selection of the best lots in the vintage. 5-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged on the gross lees in French oak barrels, 57% new, for 18 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of blackberry, blueberry and pomegranate. Heady fruit flavors of blackberry and black raspberry are embellished with spice and tobacco notes. The tannins are silky and the finish is spectacularly long. The only features that detract are a heavy lean of oak and a slight sense of warmth on the ending, both of which I can overlook because of the wine’s other merits. Score: 91. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 97 cases, $48. This vineyard is farmed by Paul Sloan of Small Vines. A 3-acre parcel located in the Laguna de Santa Rosa in Sebastopol, the vineyard is planted to high-density 4’ x 4’ spacing of 7 clones. This wine is a blend of the 7 clones (Calera, Swan, 113, 115, 459, 667, 777). Unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black cherry liquor, cassis and bramble. Densely concentrated flavors of black cherries, black raspberries and cola with a bit of smoky oak showing up in the background and on the finish. Rather linear and bland now, the wine fails to reveal anything distinctive about its vineyard origins, but clearly shows its Russian River Valley origins. Revisit in 6 to 12 months. Score: 88. Reviewed December 18, 2013 ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 176 cases, $48. Pommard 5 and Dijon 115. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromas of cola, spice and smoky oak lead to a rich palate of plum and blackberry fruit robed in smoky, tobacco-laced oak. Full-bodied, fruity and earthy with supportive tannins and well integrated acidity. Although not particularly expressive now and showing too much oak sheen, this wine may integrate and surprise with further cellaring. Score: 87. Reviewed December 18, 2013 ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre Campbell Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 110 cases, $54, sold out. Inaugural release from this vineyard located in Annapolis and managed by Ulises Valdez. Clones 115 and 777. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose becomes more expressive over time in the glass revealing aromas of dark berries, game, floral bouquet, and sweet mesquite smoke. Silky smooth on the palate with flowery black cherry, plum and spice flavors in a full-bodied style. The tannins are nicely balanced and the oak is well integrated. A slight vegetal undertone surfaces over time in the glass. Score: 88. Reviewed December 18, 2013 ARTICLE »
2011 Gros Ventre First Born Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 155 cases, $58. A noticeable leap up in quality among the wines of this vintage. This is the winery’s flagship cuvée which is a barrel selection of the best lots of the vintage. This wine is dominated by fruit from a vineyard perched at 1,000 feet above sea level along the true Sonoma Coast in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Magnetic aromas of dark red fruits, spice and seasoned oak. Discreetly concentrated black cherry, plum, cola, dried herbs and toasty oak flavors wrapped in ripe, svelte tannins. Impressive balance with noteworthy finishing length and intensity. Still young, but sends a message. Score: 92. Reviewed December 18, 2013 ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre Baranoff Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 50 cases, $44. From a 3-acre vineyard in the heart of Sebastopol. This wine is a blend of the 7 Pinot Noir clones on the site: Calera, Swan, 113, 115, 459, 667 and 777. The clones were co-fermented and aged together on their lees. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red berries and black cherries with a hint of baking spices, oak and lavender. Even with decanting the wine is a bit closed, but opens some in the glass over time. Crisp and vivid core of Bing cherry and strawberry fruit with a swirl of cola and oak. Medium weighted with nice balance and finesse, and offering a lengthy finish. Drank beautifully two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. No hurry on this one. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 151 cases, $44. A combination of Pommard 5 (one-third) and 2A (two-thirds) clones from this steeply sloped vineyard overlooking the Anderson Valley. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding black fruits with a hint of sweet oak on the nose which opens slowly in the glass. Delicious core of perfectly ripe and well-bred black and purple Pinot fruits. A little savory, spicy and earthy. Ideal weight, balance and flavor intensity with a generous finish marked by brisk acidity. A complete wine that shows breeding. Decant if you open a bottle now, but patience will bring further rewards. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre Cerise Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., 151 cases, $44. Pommard 5 and Wädenswil. 100% de-stemmed, native fermentations. Aged 10 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Well oaked with noticeable spice and savory accents. Generous purple fruit flavors with bright acidity on the elegant finish. Needs more time to integrate the oak. Very good (-). Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Gros Ventre First Born Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 101 cases, $50. A flagship cuveé representing the best lots of a vintage. This bottling is dominated by fruit sourced from an unnamed vineyard along the true Sonoma Coast. · Dark and densely colored in the glass. The nose leaps out from the glass with of scents of spiced black cherries, raspberries, plums and faint herbal oak. Rich and intense, saturating the palate with plush sweet fruits that find every nook and cranny in the mouth. Lively natural acidity maintains the wine’s vitality and supple tannins make for smooth, seductive drinking. This wine is a little too busty for me but it will find many fans. Decanting is obligatory. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »