Dec 30, 2022
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Cellars 33
| Owner(s) | John Fones, Katie Fones |
| Web site | www.cellars33.com |
| Link to this site |
A San Francisco based urban winery offering the first releases of Pinot Noir and Zinfandel in 2011. The proprietors are Baltimore transplants.
John was a lawyer with an interest in brewing beer but his wife was more interested in wine. He had a short harvest internship at Freeman Winery in Sebastopol in 2007 and the couple devoted themselves to learning everything they could about wine. He followed that initial experience with two more years of internships at Freeman Winery.
In 2010, the couple moved across country and settled in San Francisco and launched Cellars 33. The winery focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from sourced grapes.
Articles About Cellars 33
Reviewed Wines
2015 Cellars 33 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.635, RX 0 g/L, 175 cases, $30. A blend
from two diverse vineyard sites including one in the hills west of Westside Road and Hummingbird Hill Vineyard
located in the Petaluma Gap. Harvest Brix 23.5º. Aged 10 months in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled
unfiltered.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of blueberry, briar, rye crisp and nutty oak lead to
a light to mid weight styled wine featuring flavors of blueberry and purple grape with subtle oak in the
background and a citric thread also plying the background. Soft tannins and a plush mouth feel offered promise
but the wine finished with a sweet and sour tone.
Score: 87.
Reviewed January 6, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Cellars 33 Hummingbird Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.604, RS
0 g/L, 150 cases, $48. Pommard and Rochioli clones. Harvest Brix 23.9º. 100% de-stemmed, 50% native and
50% inoculated primary fermentation with native malolactic fermentation. Aged 10 months in French oak
barrels, 33% new. Bottled unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose is primary upon
opening but pleasant, offering aromas of black cherry and rye toast. Discreetly dense and sappy, featuring
luscious black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors in tune with oak support. Nicely balanced, with admirable
finishing persistence.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 6, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Cellars 33 Katie’s Cuvée Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.487, RS 0 g/L,
72 cases, $48.This wine focuses more on grace than power. Harvest Brix 23.4º. Aged 10 months in once used
French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with savory, floral
and oak notes complimenting the crushed black cherry fruit theme. Mid weight flavors of black cherry, black
currant and toasty oak are well in tune with the tannic backbone. The velvety mouthfeel attracts pleasure.
Score: 89.
Reviewed January 6, 2018
ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 120 cases, $33. Released
February 17, 2015. Sourced from Keefer Ranch (20%), Gloria Vineyard (40%) and Hummingbird Hill Vineyard
(40%).
·
Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Fruity aromas of cherry with added scents of bramble
and oak lead to a mid weight cherry core touched by oak and herbs. A bit shallow on the attack and finish
which is largely oak-driven. Easy to drink, with smooth tannins and a juicy finish with cut. More enjoyable over
time in the glass.
Score: 88.
Reviewed March 16, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Cellar 33 Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.0% alc., pH 3.30, TA 0.70, 120 cases,
$39. Wente clone 4 planted in 1996. Harvest Brix 23.2º. Aged 10 months in 100% neutral French oak barrels.
Filtered.
·
Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Inviting aromatic profile with scents of preserved
lemon, baked pear, and marzipan. Crisp flavors of lemon, lime and green apple, with a touch of nutty oak.
Largely acid-driven with a tight vibrancy and a cleansing finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed March 16, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Gloria Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 120 cases, $45. Release date August 25,
2015. The second vintage from the estate vineyard at Freeman Vineyard
& Winery. Harvest Brix 24.4º. Pommard, 115, Calera and Martini clones.
Aged 10 months in once-used Francois Frères oak barrels. Bottled
unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately light cherry red color in the glass.
Aromas of cherry and sous-bois dance from the glass. Light to mid
weight flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice expand in the mouth to fill
every nook and cranny. Highly appealing with very soft tannins,
admirable finesse, and impeccable balance. The finish is loaded with
cherry swagger, but this wine is more about personality than power.
Score: 92.
Reviewed March 16, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Katie’s Cuvee Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 72 cases,
$45. Released February 17, 2015. Harvest Brix 23.9º. Calera and Swan clones planted in 2006 at Keefer
Ranch. Katie’s favorite barrels. Aged 10 months in once-used Francois Frères oak barrels. Bottled unfined
and unfiltered.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Appealing aromas of black cherry, dark rose
and peat. Mid plus flavors of black cherry and raspberry with a hint of savory herbs in the background. Well-structured,
with pleasant oak seasoning and some giving power and length on the finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed March 16, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 120 cases,
$45. Release date August 25, 2015. Harvest Brix 24.2º. Older blocks of Swan clone planted in the late 1980s.
Aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new Rousseau oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Elegant and expressive, this wine offers aromas of cherry,
baking spice and mushroom. Relatively light in weight and feminine in style, with flavors of red cherry and red
berry accented with spice, herbs and a hint of oak. Very supple tannins and easy accessibility
Score: 88.
Reviewed March 16, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 Cellars 33 Brousseau Vineyard Chalone AVA Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.50, 120 cases,
$42. Released August 26, 2014. Harvest Brix 23.8º. Soils of limestone and decomposed granite. Vineyard is
certified organic. Mt. Eden clone planted in 1981 and more recently planted Pommard clone. 15% whole
cluster, native yeast fermentation. Aged 16 months in 100% neutral French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. This wine was tasted twice.The nose exhibited a range of aromas initially including
earth, leaf, conifer, oak, and a pungent note of volatile acidity in one bottle. Sampled several hours later, the nose was
considerably more pleasing with resolution of the volatile acidity, and aromas of cherry, spicy black raspberry,
herbs and earthy flora. The sweet core of earthy blackberry, black plum and cassis flavors displayed good
richness. The tannins were modest in one bottle, but aggressive and astringent in a second bottle.
Score: 87.
Reviewed March 16, 2015
ARTICLE »
2015 Cellars 33 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.635, RX 0 g/L, 175 cases, $30. A blend from two diverse vineyard sites including one in the hills west of Westside Road and Hummingbird Hill Vineyard located in the Petaluma Gap. Harvest Brix 23.5º. Aged 10 months in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of blueberry, briar, rye crisp and nutty oak lead to a light to mid weight styled wine featuring flavors of blueberry and purple grape with subtle oak in the background and a citric thread also plying the background. Soft tannins and a plush mouth feel offered promise but the wine finished with a sweet and sour tone. Score: 87. Reviewed January 6, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Cellars 33 Hummingbird Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.604, RS 0 g/L, 150 cases, $48. Pommard and Rochioli clones. Harvest Brix 23.9º. 100% de-stemmed, 50% native and 50% inoculated primary fermentation with native malolactic fermentation. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. Bottled unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose is primary upon opening but pleasant, offering aromas of black cherry and rye toast. Discreetly dense and sappy, featuring luscious black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors in tune with oak support. Nicely balanced, with admirable finishing persistence. Score: 90. Reviewed January 6, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Cellars 33 Katie’s Cuvée Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.487, RS 0 g/L, 72 cases, $48.This wine focuses more on grace than power. Harvest Brix 23.4º. Aged 10 months in once used French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with savory, floral and oak notes complimenting the crushed black cherry fruit theme. Mid weight flavors of black cherry, black currant and toasty oak are well in tune with the tannic backbone. The velvety mouthfeel attracts pleasure. Score: 89. Reviewed January 6, 2018 ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 120 cases, $33. Released February 17, 2015. Sourced from Keefer Ranch (20%), Gloria Vineyard (40%) and Hummingbird Hill Vineyard (40%). · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Fruity aromas of cherry with added scents of bramble and oak lead to a mid weight cherry core touched by oak and herbs. A bit shallow on the attack and finish which is largely oak-driven. Easy to drink, with smooth tannins and a juicy finish with cut. More enjoyable over time in the glass. Score: 88. Reviewed March 16, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Cellar 33 Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.0% alc., pH 3.30, TA 0.70, 120 cases, $39. Wente clone 4 planted in 1996. Harvest Brix 23.2º. Aged 10 months in 100% neutral French oak barrels. Filtered. · Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Inviting aromatic profile with scents of preserved lemon, baked pear, and marzipan. Crisp flavors of lemon, lime and green apple, with a touch of nutty oak. Largely acid-driven with a tight vibrancy and a cleansing finish. Score: 90. Reviewed March 16, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Gloria Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 120 cases, $45. Release date August 25, 2015. The second vintage from the estate vineyard at Freeman Vineyard & Winery. Harvest Brix 24.4º. Pommard, 115, Calera and Martini clones. Aged 10 months in once-used Francois Frères oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Aromas of cherry and sous-bois dance from the glass. Light to mid weight flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice expand in the mouth to fill every nook and cranny. Highly appealing with very soft tannins, admirable finesse, and impeccable balance. The finish is loaded with cherry swagger, but this wine is more about personality than power. Score: 92. Reviewed March 16, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Katie’s Cuvee Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.60, 72 cases, $45. Released February 17, 2015. Harvest Brix 23.9º. Calera and Swan clones planted in 2006 at Keefer Ranch. Katie’s favorite barrels. Aged 10 months in once-used Francois Frères oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Appealing aromas of black cherry, dark rose and peat. Mid plus flavors of black cherry and raspberry with a hint of savory herbs in the background. Well-structured, with pleasant oak seasoning and some giving power and length on the finish. Score: 91. Reviewed March 16, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Cellars 33 Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 120 cases, $45. Release date August 25, 2015. Harvest Brix 24.2º. Older blocks of Swan clone planted in the late 1980s. Aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new Rousseau oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Elegant and expressive, this wine offers aromas of cherry, baking spice and mushroom. Relatively light in weight and feminine in style, with flavors of red cherry and red berry accented with spice, herbs and a hint of oak. Very supple tannins and easy accessibility Score: 88. Reviewed March 16, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 Cellars 33 Brousseau Vineyard Chalone AVA Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.50, 120 cases, $42. Released August 26, 2014. Harvest Brix 23.8º. Soils of limestone and decomposed granite. Vineyard is certified organic. Mt. Eden clone planted in 1981 and more recently planted Pommard clone. 15% whole cluster, native yeast fermentation. Aged 16 months in 100% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. This wine was tasted twice.The nose exhibited a range of aromas initially including earth, leaf, conifer, oak, and a pungent note of volatile acidity in one bottle. Sampled several hours later, the nose was considerably more pleasing with resolution of the volatile acidity, and aromas of cherry, spicy black raspberry, herbs and earthy flora. The sweet core of earthy blackberry, black plum and cassis flavors displayed good richness. The tannins were modest in one bottle, but aggressive and astringent in a second bottle. Score: 87. Reviewed March 16, 2015 ARTICLE »