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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.5 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 162 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Acohen on 8/16/2022 & rated 91 points: Nice cherry/cinnamon/spice and balance (567 views) | | | Tasted by gsiokis on 12/5/2020 & rated 92 points: Our second Sojourn PN this week. These wines are in such a great spot right now. Great color and with no detectable browning at the edges. Cherry/Cinnamon hints on the mid-palate. Very good acidity. I see a few more years left as it hits the decade mark... (1302 views) | | | Tasted by chadrich on 4/20/2019 & rated 92 points: Beautiful ruby hue with no browning. Red cherry and cinnamon nose. Red fruit, tannic apples and another hint of cinnamon on the palate. Really holding and showing well for the age. (1608 views) | | | Tasted by levinml on 11/21/2017 & rated 93 points: Really enjoyed again. Don't remember much, but nice flavor, balance and finish and not too acidic. Was still going strong, but why wait? (2190 views) | | | Tasted by CarpeVinum on 7/27/2017 & rated 92 points: Stunning wine. (2538 views) | | | Tasted by winecat9 on 7/1/2017 & rated 92 points: Bouquet reminds us of Nuits St Georges. Perfectly mature, balanced wine. Beautiful color. Complex flavors with long finish. (2342 views) | | | Tasted by brianofthevine on 10/22/2016 & rated 92 points: Similar to previous notes with red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry fruit. Beautiful cinnamon spice notes, good acidity, and long finish. Great effort here. (2552 views) | | | Tasted by hesnctrl on 3/24/2016 & rated 91 points: PnP. Brought to Acqua for a dinner date. No formal notes, but very similar to prior notes. No stemminess like prior bottles. Strawberries galore, with a much more Pinot-like body than previous bottles.
Enjoyed in a Riedel Vivant Burgundy glass at 65F. (2680 views) | | | Tasted by vino_per_tutti on 1/23/2016 & rated 92 points: Crimson color. Bright Bing cherry, sassafras and brambly cherry compote. Medium (+) intensity. Plump black cherry, Asian spice and sassafras on the palate. Caramel and root beer on the medium finish. Delicious. (2560 views) | | | Tasted by Mattshank on 1/22/2016 & rated 92 points: Last bottle and more akin to notes on 3/4/13 than most recent tasting on 5/11/15. Would recommend drinking this up if you have any as I don't see any further upside potential. Very nice new world Pinot. (2314 views) | | | Tasted by Rollerball on 1/8/2016 & rated 92 points: An outstanding wine of syrupy minerals and tangy, sweet vanilla. Silky and intoxicating but not alcoholy. Indulgent and baroque. Possibly better served for dessert than with dinner. Difficult to recognize as Pinot yet singular as if heaven were producing your Robitussen. I'm trying hard to review this for its intention (in which case it truly excels) as opposed to its style. Drink now and welcome its flamboyance with your carnality! (2265 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 12/4/2015 & rated 91 points: Very dark in color with deep raspberry and baking spices on the nose. Somewhere between medium and full bodied and at 14.7% ABV, this wine comes off as a fruit-forward style that has shed some of the initial, intense extracted fruit notes and has begun to show a bit of complexity. Lots of dark fruit - black raspberry, black cherry and currant upfront adding in some oak, vanilla, creaminess and nice spice notes on the finish. There's only a touch of heat towards the very end. Given a another year or so, I think this has real potential to smooth out, gain additional complexity through the middle and fully open up. (1795 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 10/21/2015 & rated 90 points: Dark red magenta color. PNP, split bottle over 3 hours. Pleasant and complex nose of raspberries, black cherry, currants, baking spices, vanilla, new wood, spices. The palate,while tasty, is very creamy in its texture, forward raspberry fruit, red currant, black cherry, cardamom, tobacco, vanilla, rather spicy with a medium almost sweet finish. Very good for what it is, just not a style I'm particularly interested in anymore. Those that enjoy big, ripe and voluptuous styled pinot noir will love this. (1819 views) | | | Tasted by Kaerhoeg on 10/17/2015 & rated 91 points: Still lots of red berries, some cherries, and even more strawberries, slight hint of some rhubarb as well. Chocolate, tobacco and maybe also a hint of freshly ground coffee. Wonderful glass, and more integrated than the bottle I had a in 2012 (at least as I remember it) (1286 views) | | | Tasted by brigcampbell on 9/7/2015: Very nice showing again but my palate has moved away from this style. Don't get me wrong, it's delicious and everyone enjoyed it but it's just crossing the fruit forward / creamy mouthfeel line in the sand for me. There are lots of flavors flying around in the glass. Ripe fruit, vanilla, red berry. (1501 views) | | | Tasted by jfolbe on 8/18/2015 & rated 92 points: Generous fruit, full bodied. Big nose. I would decant then pour soon thereafter to blow off heat or open for 20 min. This is delicious. (1568 views) | | | Tasted by anonymoose12345 on 7/22/2015 & rated 90 points: PnP. Dark dark red in the glass. Nose of dark red fruit, black cherry, baking spice, medicinal herbs, brambly fruit. Quite wild. On the palate, ripe red and black cherry, rhubarb, bitter cherry. Finish of bitter cherry and sweet strawberry. Slight tannins and heat.
Drinking well now. (1684 views) | | | Tasted by Mattshank on 5/11/2015 & rated 93 points: Nose: Seductive black cherry aromas with raspberry and cassis hints. Fantastic nose. Palate: Soft and perfectly mature with the black cherries and an almost perfumy flavor (odd as that sounds) with a super clean finish. Last bottle drank on 3/4/13 and this is at peak. Balanced, elegant and just fantastic. Glad I have one more bottle left but given how good this drinks the last one will be opened soon. (1662 views) | | | Tasted by Seafoam Manor on 5/9/2015 & rated 92 points: Notes were all exactly consistent with previous bottles. Textbook Sonoma Pinot; bright red fruit, burnt orange-like citrus and spice all molded together in a very supple package. Crowd pleasing, delicious style of wine. This will probably hang on for several more years, but it is in a very good place right now. (1541 views) | | | Tasted by wythes on 4/27/2015 & rated 92 points: I love this wine! It rocks. My wife loves it too. I love that the color isn't an overly extracted deep purple. It's a nice somewhat translucent color that packs a punch of flavor. I also love the mouth feel - smooth as a baby's bottom. I'm about 3/4 of my way through the bottle and I'm already trying to find out where I can buy some more. (1659 views) | | | Tasted by hesnctrl on 4/11/2015 & rated 91 points: PnD. Medium burgundy in color. Big whiff of ripe strawberries, dark cherry, and cola on the nose. After a few hours, a floral perfumy element came forward. Fairly concentrated and very California.
Tasted in a Riedel Vinum Burgundy and Riedel Vivant Burgundy glasses. In the Vinum, the green stemminess I picked up last time was very apparent. In the Vivant, there was none at all. The big bowl and wide opening of the Vivant helped to tame the wine a bit and gave it more elegance. (1524 views) | | | Tasted by Gary J on 4/5/2015 & rated 93 points: Excellent Pinot Noir complex with slight oak finish (1517 views) | | | Tasted by cweiner on 12/14/2014 & rated 93 points: Love. Fruit forward, dry without bite. (1792 views) | | | Tasted by TwoSmoochies on 12/14/2014 & rated 91 points: Excellent well balanced wine. With time it should improve even more (1653 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 12/9/2014 & rated 91 points: Light crimson in color. 14.7% ABV. Red fruits, cinnamon, brown sugar and forest floor on the nose. Spicy on the palate with medium body and zippy acidity. Flavors of cranberry, strawberry, cherry and baking spices. Decent finish. Drink over the next 2-3 years. (1924 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #69 (1/15/2011)
(Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (10/23/2011)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Dark cherry red color with 1 millimeter clear meniscus; ripe raspberry, spicy, berry nose; sexy, ripe berry, ripe raspberry palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points 92 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (2/5/2011)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; lovely, brown sugar, black cherry, black raspberry, floral nose; tight, poised, very appealing, ripe raspberry, black cherry palate, with integrated oak spice; medium-plus finish 93 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of PinotReport and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Sojourn Producer website
Pinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Gap's Crown VineyardGap’s Crown is perched on the western edge of Sonoma Mountain and is comprised of 37 vineyard blocks that span 140 planted acres. Ranging in elevation from 300’ to 840’ above sea level Gap’s Crown takes advantage of the steep Sonoma Mountain hillsides to promote natural airflow and soil drainage within the vineyard.
Gap’s Crown is part of the Sonoma Coast AVA and is situated at the confluence of where Sonoma Mountain and its surrounding southwest facing hills meet the Petaluma Wind Gap (Petaluma Gap). To the south the hills of Sonoma Mountain turn southeast and channel the cool breezes of the Petaluma Gap toward the San Pablo Bay. To the north Sonoma Mountain gives way to Crane Canyon and eventually a northwest oriented set of hills. A pocket is formed by Crane Canyon and these northwest hills just to the north of Gap’s Crown, creating a natural fog pocket around the vineyard. Typically, coastal fog that is trapped in this pocket takes longer to burn off during the latter days of the growing season. This lingering fog during at the end of the growing season allows Gap’s Crown fruit to ripen slowly, developing sugar and phenolic ripeness in unison.
Gap’s Crown vineyard is owned and managed by Gap’s Crown, LLC and is located in the Petaluma Wind Gap. Kosta Browne Winery has purchased Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir grapes since 2006, and now enjoys a long term lease of 37 planted acres. Their viticulture is second to none, producing some of the finest grapes in Sonoma County.
William “Bill” Price III, co-founder of private investment company TPG Group and a financier of North Coast wineries such as Kosta Browne, purchased the 138-acre Gap’s Crown pinot noir and chardonnay vineyard in the Sonoma Coast appellation east of Rohnert Park. Mr. Price on Dec. 11 purchased two properties from what had been part of the CalPERS vineyard portfolio. The 106 acres of planted pinot noir and 32 acres of chardonnay are located off Roberts Road on the western slopes of Sonoma Mountain east of Rohnert Park. The sale price wasn’t disclosed in public records. Mr. Price told Wine Spectator that the purchase price was above $100,000 an acre and a new high value level for Sonoma Coast vines. With plantings in 2002 and 2005, Gap’s Crown is a source if grapes for wineries such as Kosta Browne, Paul Hobbs and Patz & Hall. Mr. Price will continue to supply those grape contracts and will purchase fruit for his Three Sticks and Price Chanin brands, he told Wine Spectator. Vineyard acquisition as a way to access key grape supply was a main driver in dozens of North Coast property sales in the past year to wineries, including several in the Premier Pacific Vineyards portfolio. Mr. Price’s history in the wine business includes the purchase and sale of Beringer Vineyards and, more recently, the formation of a boutique vintner investment group called The Vincraft Group. It’s investments include the Kosta Browne and Gary Farrell brands.
Zepponi & Company of Santa Rosa advised Menlo Park-based private-equity firm GI Partners, which has been managing the Premier Pacific Vineyards portfolio for CalPERS for the past year. CalPERS in late 2011 said it would end its relationship with Premier Pacific Vineyards, and GI Partners has been marketing vineyards for sale. American AgCredit financed the purchase.
USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Sonoma CountyMendocino CountySonoma Coast * Sonoma Coast AVA (Wikipedia)
* Sonoma Coast AVA (Wine Institue) |
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