RAEN Winery

Articles About RAEN Winery

Reviewed Wines

2018 RAEN Charles Ranch Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

12.5% alc., $65. Pre-phylloxera hillside Chardonnay plantings less than two miles from the Pacific Ocean. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. A complex nose displays scents of lemon curd, pineapple, white flower blossom, warm pastry and a compliment of oak. An expressive core of lemon-lime and pineapple fruit flavors is nicely paired with spirited acidity that walks the line between a fruity Chardonnay and a lean, crisp style. The slightest viscosity adds a desirable texture and and the finish offers a refreshing grip of acidity. Score: 94. Reviewed June 14, 2020 ARTICLE »

2018 RAEN Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., $70. A special bottling dedicated to Robert Mondavi. A selection of the finest barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose is more expressive over time in the glass. revealing aromas of dark cherry, burnt tobacco and dried herbs. Soft in the mouth and relatively light in weight, offering fruit flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with an underpinning of dried herbs and smoky oak. Very fine-grain tannins make for easy approachability, but the wine picks up more fruit intensity and finishing length over time. Score: 91. Reviewed June 14, 2020 ARTICLE »

2018 RAEN Fort Ross Seaview Sea Field Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $80. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry, boysenberry, subtle oak and salt air draw you in. The mid weight core of black cherry and blackberry fruits are framed by moderate tannins the most of the three 2018 RAEN Pinots). There is a slight herbal tone. The dry finish is very long and dripping with fruit. The wine is most agreeable when tasted two days after opening indicating age ability. Score: 94. Reviewed June 14, 2020 ARTICLE »

2018 RAEN Sea Field Hellenthal Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $80. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely spiced aromas of dark cherry and pomegranate with a fragrant flower contribution. Elegant and sleek with a hint of whole cluster exotica in a mid-weight style. Earthbound flavors of dark red cherry and boysenberry backed by juicy acidity and supportive tannins that add a hint of astringency. Noticeably more alluring when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle. Score: 94. Reviewed July 28, 2021 ARTICLE »

2018 RAEN Freestone Occidental Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., $90. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of underbrush, potpourri and floridity present initially with dark fruits chiming in over time in the glass, culminating in a glorious experience. Well-bred medium weight flavors of black cherry and blackberry are accented with a subtle dried herb note. A delightful wine with a rich middle palate, gracious harmony and a creamy mouthfeel. The finish is intensely fruity and remarkably long like a 3-hour movie you don’t want to end. Simply delicious and still engaging two days after opening. Score: 96. Reviewed June 14, 2020 ARTICLE »

2017 RAEN Royal St. George Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., $60. Named in honor of Dante and Carlo Mondavi’s grandfather. A selection of the finest barrels giving a window into the cool westerly hills of the true Sonoma Coast. Clones are Pommard, “828,” 667, Calera and rVR1. Goldridge soils. Whole cluster, native fermentation. Aged in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. A whole cluster-driven nose featuring aromas of cherry, pine sap and burnt tobacco. Very sleek, seamless and sexy, with a mid weight core of black cherry fruit, accented with exotic spices. Good vibrancy and mellow tannins, finishing intense and long with a dark cherry aromatic theme. Score: 94. Reviewed February 3, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 RAEN Home Field Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $80. 4.8 acres, ancient marine soils at an elevation of 1500 feet. Whole cluster fermentations rely only on native yeasts. Clone 777. Aging is in neutral French oak barrels for 10 to 20 months depending on the site and vintage. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration.

Note: RAEN (pronounced “rain” to remind us that wine was rain first and translated to Research in Agriculture and Enology Naturally)) winery, a partnership between winegrowers Carlo Mondavi and Dante Mondavi, focuses on Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The three Pinot Noir wines offered: (1) Freestone Occidental Bodega Vineyard planted to clone 667, Pommard and a Calera selection ($95); (2) Fort Ross-Seaview Home Field Vineyard (going forward will be known as Sea Field) a site located just north of Jenner overlooking the Pacific Ocean ($80); the Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Cuvée (clones “828,”, 667, rVR1, Pommard and a Calera selection), a blend of fruit from the West Sonoma Coast ($60). Chardonnay is sourced from the Charles Ranch Vineyard located in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA ($90). The wines are eagerly sought after and highly allocated to a mailing list at www.raenwinery.com. This young winery is proving to be Pinot Noir par excellence.

· Moderate garnet color in the glass. an elegant, but very aromatic and flavorful wine offering aromas and tastes of ripe cherry, strawberry, exotic spice, wild herbs, and forest floor. This is one terrific wine to drink now that has excellent rapport between the fine-grain tannins and acidity. There is a clear whole cluster foundation that elevates this wine. I literally wanted to drink the whole bottle. Welcoming and amicable when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 96. Reviewed May 25, 2020 ARTICLE »

2017 RAEN Home Field Hellenthal Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $80. Clone 777. Whole cluster, native yeast fermentation. Aged in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. An elegant, very aromatic and flavorful wine offering aromas and flavors of cherry, strawberry, exotic spices, wild herbs, and forest floor. This is one terrific wine to drink now because of excellent rapport between tannins and acidity. There is clearly a whole cluster foundation that elevates the pedigree of this wine. I literally wanted to drink the entire bottle. Welcoming and amicable when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Reviewed May 2020. Score: 96. Reviewed July 28, 2021 ARTICLE »

2017 RAEN Home Field Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $80. The winery’s most westerly site, 4.8 acres located just under two miles from the Pacific Ocean. Whole cluster, native fermentation. Aged in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Shy, but pleasing aromas of cherry and dark red berries. Elegantly composed, with broad flavors of dark red and purple berries with just the right oak and spice seasoning. Honed tannins and defining acidity fuel the harmony. The finish is gracious and quenching. Score: 94. Reviewed February 3, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 RAEN Bodega Vineyard Freestone Occidental Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., 200 cases, $90. This vineyard sits just 4 miles from the coast. Surrounded by redwoods, pines, wildflowers and coastal oaks. Whole cluster, native barrel fermentation. Aged in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Soaring aromas of fresh cherry, bramble and rose petal. Long in the mouth with a bevy of black cherry, boysenberry, earth and botanical flavors. Impeccably balanced with a seductive finish that seems eternal. Score: 95. Reviewed February 3, 2019 ARTICLE »

2016 RAEN Home Field Hellenthal Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.5% alc. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, cranberry and tree sap lead to a lighter-styled wine with primarily red fruit flavors. Elegant and crisp, but somewhat shallow on the mid-palate and finish. Too delicate to satisfy completely. Score: 89. Reviewed July 28, 2021 ARTICLE »

2016 RAEN Royal St. Robert Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc, $65. The most widely available bottling from this vintage and available in multiple retail outlets nationally. Dedicated to the owner’s grandfather, Robert Mondavi. Sourced from just behind Bodega Bay and consists of special lots that are the best in the cellar. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Pleasingly aromatic, with scents of dark cherry, exotic spice, fertile earth and rose petal. The nose becomes more attractive over time in the glass. Mid weight plus in style, offering flavors of dark cherry, dark cranberry, spice, burnt tobacco and an earthy tone. Sleek in texture, with modest tannins, juicy acidity and some persistence on the finish. This wine is nicely composed and forward drinking. Score: 93. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »

2015 RAEN Royal St. Robert Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 800 cases, $56. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. A complex nose offers a perfume of brambly red berries, potpourri, burnt tobacco and exotic spices. Splendid attack of cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruits in a fresh and crunchy style with oak chiming in with aplomb. This wine delights with balanced fruit tannins, a hearty and sustained finish, and an appealing elegance. Score: 95. Reviewed June 4, 2017

2015 RAEN Royal St Robert Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 800 cases, $60. Vinified by Carlo and Dante Mondavi of Society of Research in Agriculture & Enology Naturally. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose hints at whole cluster with aromas of mulch, spice and rose augmenting the fruit aromas of red berries. Quite tasteful in a mid weight style, with flavors of blackest cherry, black raspberry, boysenberry, spice and earthiness. Well-integrated tannins and acidity make for current drinking. The wine’s intense and very long finish is most impressive. Score: 92. Reviewed January 6, 2018 ARTICLE »

2014 RAEN Freestone Occidental Bodega Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., 150 cases, $80 (sold in 6-packs, sold out). The winegrowers are Carlo and Dante Mondavi, fourth generation vintners born and raised in Napa Valley. RAEN stands for Research in Agriculture and Enology. 80% whole cluster inclusion, 16- day maceration, wild yeast fermentation, aged 10 months in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Fruit never shows up on this very savory nose featuring aromas of underbrush, earthy flora and pine. Intensely fruity in a mid weight plus style plush with purple berry and plum flavors infused with a savory and slightly herbaceous thread in the background. The sandpaper tannins add textural interest and the finish has glorious intensity and length. The high percentage of whole cluster inclusion dominates the profile of the wine but without undue tannin. Unchanged the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 RAEN Home Field Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 200 cases, $80 (sold in 6-packs, sold out). Fermented with 65% whole cluster, 16-day extended maceration, indigenous yeast fermentation, and aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 0% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red cherry and berry along with underbrush and sous bois evolve slowly in the glass. Very similar in all respects to the Freestone Occidental bottling, but with more fruit expression and less savory overlay. Styled as a middleweight plus offering, featuring flavors of dark red and purple fruits, this wine’s fruit really clings to the palate. The tannins are polished, and the deep red cherry finish is spectacular. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose was more expressive and the palate was filled with joyful waves of fruit with sous bois integration. (Note: I had a second bottle of this wine at a restaurant several months later and the wine was not nearly as good so you have been warned) Score: 94. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »