Dec 30, 2022
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Wild Ridge Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Jackson Family Wines |
| Web site | www.wildridgevineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
Wild Ridge Pinot Noir is grown on a vineyard on the far western edge of the Sonoma Coast at 900 feet elevation, a stone's throw from the hamlet of Annapolis.
The winemaker is Craig McAllister, a New Zealand native who worked in New Zealand and Australia before joining La Crema as an enologist. After harvests in Chile and Cyprus, he returned to La Crema and became an assistant winemaker in 2011. He joined Wild Ridge in 2011.
The wine is produced by Jackson Family Estates.
Articles About Wild Ridge Vineyards
Pinot Briefs (9.48 10/6/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Outliers (9.43 7/19/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir, Rosé & Chardonnay (10.8 4/20/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted Sonoma County Pinot Noir (10.31 6/5/2016)
Reviewed Wines
2013 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH
3.45, TA 0.57, 3,153 cases, $50. This offering is part of the
Jackson Family Wines’ West Burgundy Wine Collective that is a
small estate-based portfolio of site-driven Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay from top West Coast appellations. Vineyard is
located very close to Annapolis at 900 feet elevation. Goldridge
soils, marine air influence and surrounding forest. This wine is
100% estate grown at the Annapolis vineyard located in the
extreme western reaches of the Sonoma Coast AVA. 700 to 900
foot elevation, three miles from Pacific Ocean on top of the third
ridge inland surrounded by coastal Redwoods, with Goldridge
sand loam soils. Clones are Pommard 5, 115, 667 and 777.
100% de-stemmed, 3 to 4-day cold soak, inoculated with cultured
yeast, fermented in open-top tanks, free-run wine aged 10
months in French oak barrels, 50% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple
color in the glass. The nose reminds of a walk along a forest trail in the morning, with added aromas of
blackberry and black cherry. A mid weight plus styled wine with plenty of blueberry-pomegranate and spice
flavors to satisfy. The angular tannins are nicely balanced, oak provides a complimentary touch, and the wine
finishes with some persistent blueberry goodness. The wine is a bit rustic and wild, but that adds to its appeal.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 5, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $37. Sourced from a Kendall-Jackson property in
Annapolis on the West Sonoma Coast.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The aromatic profile is
similar to an amarone with raisined fruit and oak-driven notes of bark, nuts and vanilla cream. Very ripe fruited
flavor profile featuring purple and black berries and a burnt raisin and savory herb note. Balanced tannins
make for easy drinking, but the finish throws a bit of alcoholic heat. Not nearly as good as the 2011 vintage that I
reviewed previously.
Score: 85.
Reviewed April 20, 2015
ARTICLE »
2011 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc.,
$33. This vineyard is located near the hamlet of
Annapolis at 900 feet elevation. Goldridge soil, cool
maritime air, and surrounding dense forest.
·
Moderate
reddish purple color in the glass. Very savory with
aromas of wild berries, spice, forest floor and mushroom.
Soft and smooth on the palate with flavors of blueberries, cherries,
black raspberries, animale, and spice with a vein of savory herbs
running through the background. Juicy, with integrated tannins and
an extended finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed July 19, 2014
ARTICLE »
2013 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.57, 3,153 cases, $50. This offering is part of the Jackson Family Wines’ West Burgundy Wine Collective that is a small estate-based portfolio of site-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from top West Coast appellations. Vineyard is located very close to Annapolis at 900 feet elevation. Goldridge soils, marine air influence and surrounding forest. This wine is 100% estate grown at the Annapolis vineyard located in the extreme western reaches of the Sonoma Coast AVA. 700 to 900 foot elevation, three miles from Pacific Ocean on top of the third ridge inland surrounded by coastal Redwoods, with Goldridge sand loam soils. Clones are Pommard 5, 115, 667 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 3 to 4-day cold soak, inoculated with cultured yeast, fermented in open-top tanks, free-run wine aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose reminds of a walk along a forest trail in the morning, with added aromas of blackberry and black cherry. A mid weight plus styled wine with plenty of blueberry-pomegranate and spice flavors to satisfy. The angular tannins are nicely balanced, oak provides a complimentary touch, and the wine finishes with some persistent blueberry goodness. The wine is a bit rustic and wild, but that adds to its appeal. Score: 90. Reviewed June 5, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $37. Sourced from a Kendall-Jackson property in Annapolis on the West Sonoma Coast. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The aromatic profile is similar to an amarone with raisined fruit and oak-driven notes of bark, nuts and vanilla cream. Very ripe fruited flavor profile featuring purple and black berries and a burnt raisin and savory herb note. Balanced tannins make for easy drinking, but the finish throws a bit of alcoholic heat. Not nearly as good as the 2011 vintage that I reviewed previously. Score: 85. Reviewed April 20, 2015 ARTICLE »
2011 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $33. This vineyard is located near the hamlet of Annapolis at 900 feet elevation. Goldridge soil, cool maritime air, and surrounding dense forest. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very savory with aromas of wild berries, spice, forest floor and mushroom. Soft and smooth on the palate with flavors of blueberries, cherries, black raspberries, animale, and spice with a vein of savory herbs running through the background. Juicy, with integrated tannins and an extended finish. Score: 91. Reviewed July 19, 2014 ARTICLE »