La Rochelle Winery

Articles About La Rochelle Winery

Reviewed Wines

2014 La Rochelle Deer Meadows Vineyard Recherché Reserve Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 180 cases, $125 (Club member exclusive). Swan, Calera and Dijon 667 clones. Winemaker is veteran Tom Stutz. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly savory and pungent on the nose with cherry aromas in the background. The mid weight cherry flavor is underpinned with a vegetal character and framed by muscular tannins that stick out on the modest finish. Score: 87. Reviewed July 24, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 La Rochelle Recherché Reserve Ferrington Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay

14.1% alc., $65. Robert Young clone. Winemaker Tom Stutz has almost four decades of experience crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. A nicely composed wine with appealing scents of lemon, Asian pear, pineapple, honey and a little nutty oak. Discreetly concentrated and ripe in character, with flavors of lemon curd, baked yellow apple, toffee, butterscotch and creme caramel. A good snap of acidity creates vibrancy in the wine. Score: 90. Reviewed August 17, 2016 ARTICLE »

2011 La Rochelle Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir Rosé

12.5% alc., 119 cases, $24. Pommard and Swan clones. · Light pinkish-orange color in the glass. Aromas of strawberries, cherries and orange peel. Light and refreshing, featuring flavors of rose water, red berries, and blood oranges. A perfect summer wine. Good (+) Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 La Rochelle Donum Estate Carneros Pinot Noir

$N/A. La Rochelle is the only winery producing a vineyard-designate from this prestigious site. · Aromas of wild berries, leading to flavors of blackberries and black plums accented with spice. Nicely integrated tannins and impressive finishing power and length. Exceptional. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 La Rochelle Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

$N/A. · Similar flavor profile to the Donum Estate bottling, but lighter, more refined, and exhibiting a very crisp and juicy character. Very good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 La Rochelle Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir Rosé

13.2% alc., 157 cases, $22, screw cap. Released April 16, 2011. Pommard and Mariafeld clones. · Pretty pinkish coral color in the glass. Very pleasing aromas of blood oranges, bananas, strawberries and pink lemonade. Crisp and tangy on the palate with a tasty array of red berry, guava, melon and orange flavors. I really liked this wine, put the partially emptied bottle in the refrigerator, and polished it off over the next two days. I don’t often get excited by a rosé, but this one caught my eye. I am buying some of this perfect summer afternoon drink for myself. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »

2010 La Rochelle Ferrington Vineyard Anderson Valley Chardonnay

14.6% alc., 120 cases, $65. Released April 21, 2012. · Pale straw color with slight haze in the glass (unfiltered). Aromas of golden apples, pastry cream, butter brickle and roasted nuts. Tasty array of white fruit flavors including apple, pear and citrus with a subtle underpinning of toffee and toast from oak, finishing with an hi-strung lemony zing. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 La Rochelle Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

14.9% alc., 90 cases, $65. Released April 21, 2012. · Light straw color in the glass. Aromas of lemon curd, golden apple, pastry cream and roasted nuts. Delicious array of flavors including baked pears, roasted hazelnuts, buttered brioche, baked apples and grilled peaches with a slight petrol note. Slight creamy in texture, with a citrus-driven acidity in the background, and a hint of heat on the finish. Definite oak influence but it is complimentary. A buttery style of Chardonnay made popular in California by Kistler and Aubert and others that will appeal to those who welcome this genre. Very good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Four Sisters Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Meunier

14.0% alc., 70 cases, $38. Released May 1, 2011. Winemaker Tom Stutz. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Really attractive nose offering an array of aromas including black cherries, wild dark berries and a hint of vanilla, holding up nicely over time in the glass. Very tasty core of dark red cherries and berries with accents of spice, oak and vanillin. Medium-weighted with plenty of finesse, restrained tannins and good acidity, finishing light, clean and smooth. A bit off the beaten track and for that reason very enticing. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 55 cases, $42. Released August 3, 2012. 100% Pommard clone grown on the Dutton’s Campbell Ranch with a small amount of Mission Ranch Swan selection blended in. Aged 17 months in 100% second used French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of fresh picked black cherries, black raspberries, rose petals and spice. Deep, but not overbearing flavors of Bing cherries and cola, caressed by soft tannins, infused with vim by bright acidity, and offering a lengthy memory of cherries on the finish. Quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and one of the better appellation wines from that region on the market. Very good (+). Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Conzelman Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 115 cases, $48. Released July 14, 2012. Clones 115 and 777. Aged 28 months in 60% new, 20% second use and 20% American oak. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Savory nose with aromas of forest floor, stem and cherry with a touch of chemical peeking out. Slightly confected cherry flavor with an underlying savory herb riff. Moderately light in weight with mild sandy tannins, finishing very dry and herbal. Decent. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Dutton Ranch Campbell Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 142 cases, $48. Pommard clone. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of dark cherries, sage, spice and potpourri really draw you into the glass. Delicious (written twice in my notes) cherry bombast with subtle accents of edible roses, spice and mocha. Discreetly concentrated mouthful of Pinot with supple tannins and an incredible finish featuring extravagant ripe cherry fruit. In three words, flat out great. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Dutton Ranch Campbell Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $48. Released January 14, 2012. Farmed by the Dutton family, this vineyard is located near the towns of Graton and Occidental. 100% Pommard clone. Aged 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddishpurple hue in the glass. Really enticing nose that picks up considerable olfactory interest over time in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry pie glaze, dark berries and spice. Plenty to like with nicely ripened flavors of dark red cherries and berries, nicely spiced, picking up intensity over time. A spirited wine with supple tannins, really struting its stuff the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Block A Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 275 cases, $48. Released August 2, 2012. Martini and 113 clones. Aged 26 months in 45% new and 55% second use French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Smells like a smoke-tainted wine with strong aromas of wood smoke and tar. Unpleasant ash, smoke and tar flavors overwhelm the middleweight dark fruit core which is presented on a silky platform with supple tannins. Unsatisfactory, but I only had one bottle to review and this wine was definitely not consistent with the many wines I have had from this winery. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Tondre Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 125 cases, $48. Released September 8, 2012. Originally planted to 6 acres of Pinot Noir in 1997. Today the vineyard contains 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 25 acres of Chardonnay, farmed by Joe Allarid. Clones 943 and Pommard are in this bottling. Inaugural release from this vineyard. Aged for 18 months in 20% new and 80% second use French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Smells like the freshest blackberry jam you have ever experienced. Delicious and entirely seductive, with a moderately intense core of blackberry, cassis, Hoison sauce and vanilla flavors. Smooth and satiny, with well-balanced tannins, well-integrated acidity in the background and the most outrageously long finish of all the wines in this La Rochelle lineup. I have had several great wines from this vineyard and this one continues the trend. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 La Rochelle Donum Estate Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 115 cases, $75. Released October 1, 2012. Inaugural release from this vineyard. 100% Donum clone (a massal selection from cuttings brought to California by Roederer). Aged 19 months in 40% new and 60% second use French oak barrels. · Moderate reddishpurple color in the glass. A very exotic wine exhibiting aromas of wild berries and musk that really draws you into the glass. Delicious array of dark red and black berries with a touch of spice and an earthiness which adds to the appeal. Very supply fine-grain tannins, a silky texture and generous finishing power. Significantly better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Like actress Keira Knightley, perfumed and sensuous. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2008 La Rochelle Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., 137 cases, $42. Release spring 2011. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of Bing cherries, dried rose petals and spice potpourri. Tasty core of cherry pie filling with faint oak, baking spice and cola notes. Medium weighted with supple tannins. Drinking perfectly now. Very Good. Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »

2008 La Rochelle Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 156 cases, $42. Release spring 2011. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black cherries, red and black berries, and spice. Intensely fruited with flavors of plums and cherry skins with savory herbs and oak in the background. Smooth in the mouth, finishing crisp. A very flavorful wine of great charm. Very Good. Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »

2008 La Rochelle La Cruz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., 171 cases, $48. · Released January 22, 2011. Clones 115, 667 and 828. Moderately deep reddish-purple hue in the glass. Brooding aromas of black cherries, black tea, oak and Asian 5-spice. Rich and intense core of darker stone fruits and berries with slight underlying oak flavor. Plenty of fruit but lacks nuance and character. Decent. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »

2008 La Rochelle Sarmento Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., 141 cases, $48. Release spring 2011. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose is all oak initially, opening with air to reveal very appealing aromas of black cherries and vanilla spice. The wine possesses intense mid palate fruit of the highest pedigree yet is light on its feet (as in iron fist in a velvet glove). Delicious core of black cherry and black raspberry fruit with a touch of cola. A striking wine that is smoothly textured and finishes with an impressive peacock tail of fruit. Higher in alcohol, but not the least bit over ripe or jammy. Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »

2007 La Rochelle Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., 138 cases, $38. Release spring 2011. Unusual clonal mix of Wädenswil, Martini and Mariafeld. · Moderate reddish-purple robe. Aromas of cherries and wooded forest. An elegantly crafted wine with appealing flavors of fresh cherries and subtle herbal oak. Firm but silky tannins make for easy consumption. Good (+). Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »

2005 La Rochelle Classic Clones Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 235 cases, $42. This is the first wine in the Heritage Series, sourced from the Mission Ranch in Arroyo Seco and Garys’ Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is composed of Pommard, Wädenswil and Mariafeld clones from the Mission Ranch, and the Pisoni clone from Garys’ Vineyard. Aged 10 months in French oak. · The nose trumps the flavors at this stage in the wine’s evolution. I wanted to drink the aromas of cherry vanilla cola. Light in weight, the flavors of red fruits, herbs and oak travel smoothly over the palate. The fruit is very shy at this point. I would cellar this wine for a year. Reviewed May 13, 2007 ARTICLE »

2004 La Rochelle Garys‘ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

15.0% alc.. Winemakers Tom Stutz and Claude Bobba. · Slightly hazy with a hint of orange coloring on the rim. Rather flat nose with some faint fruit, oak and spice. Tasty black cherry core elegantly presented with a satiny texture and good alcohol integration. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »

2004 La Rochelle Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

15% alc. · There is a nice mélange of red berries and mushrooms on the nose with a solid core of plush red fruits and a kiss of oak and toast in the background. Remarkably balanced considering the high alcohol. In my family, this was controversial, as my wife noticed the alcohol right away on the finish, but I could not detect any heat on the backend. This wine will appeal to those who cherish fruit-driven, big-boy Pinot Noirs. Reviewed May 13, 2007 ARTICLE »

2004 La Rochelle Winery San Vicente Vineyard Monterey County Pinot Noir

355 cases, $20. La Rochelle Winery focuses on small lots of Pinot Noir. Formerly Mirassou, the winemaker Tom Stutz crafts several vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs of high quality. A tasting room is open each afternoon in the Livermore Valley. The wine is available on the website. · You won’t find a better $20 Pinot anywhere. The nose is nicely spiced with nutmeg and cardamom. Light on the palate, there are attractive spice and mocha highlights to the red fruit core. The tangy finish completes this nicely balanced and very drinkable Pinot Noir. Reviewed January 22, 2007 ARTICLE »