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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.8 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 49 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by dhammer53 on 6/18/2023: Finally popped this double magnum at a Flyertalk travel wine dinner at North Square in Greenwich Village. An aged pinot noir is always rewarded. This was a dark color and was singing to the max. A few tannins would suggest you can hold onto this for a while. It was my WOTN. Drank this with a steak over 2 hours. Slow-ox'd for 30 minutes. (213 views) | | | Tasted by chadrich on 2/15/2021 & rated 90 points: Much lighter color than the RRV from the same year that I just finished. Translucent ruby. Nose is floral with graphite and red fruit notes. Plate is full, round and just a bit viscous with darker red fruits, nutmeg and cinnamon. Finish is medium length and integrated throughout. (1066 views) | | | Tasted by Backdoctor on 8/11/2019 & rated 93 points: excellent medium bodied Pinot. Big dark fruit on palate. Smooth tannins. Still a lot of life in it. (1365 views) | | | Tasted by MK62 on 7/27/2019 & rated 93 points: This came out of the bottle with power.....great nose and ripe fruit, Burgundian color. Bing cherry, spice..... 9 years and still with seemingly plenty of life & legs left. (1347 views) | | | Tasted by PinotPaul on 7/12/2019 & rated 89 points: Nice. (1340 views) | | | Tasted by PSUSteve on 7/8/2017 & rated 91 points: PnP. On the lighter of the spectrum of Sojourn Pinots. Red fruit with the Ridgetop earthiness. (2092 views) | | | Tasted by kennyd on 1/14/2017 & rated 93 points: So good. Matched up perfectly with the classic french food at The Blanchard. Probably shouldn't wait too long on our last bottle, although that's not to say that it's flattening. PNP, and was good over app. 2 hours. The forrest floor was there, and it also translated to the taste. Thank you to Sojourn. (1998 views) | | | Tasted by dhammer53 on 9/23/2016 & rated 94 points: Slow-ox'd for 45 minutes. Dark color. Rich. Wonderful (perfume) nose. Cherry, spice. All the standard Sojourn characteristics. I love my Sojourns with age. I have one bottle left, and will wait until 2017/18 to drink it. That bottle is a double mag. (1926 views) | | | Tasted by wineslide on 8/28/2016: Winner, winner, this one will go well with a chicken dinner. Wow.
Cherries, spice, dark essence. (2122 views) | | | Tasted by kennyd on 4/13/2016 & rated 92 points: See my December 2014 notes. Consistent, although I would add now that I don't think I will/should wait much longer in drinking our last bottle. (2124 views) | | | Tasted by ScottGoodwin on 8/9/2015 & rated 93 points: This is the best Sojourn Pinot I've had in a few years and I've been steadily plowing through my stash going back to the '08 vintage. Based on some earlier tasting notes, this seems to have shed some of its baby fat. Lighted bodied than most Sojourns. The nose has a wonderfully expressive floral nose with pure red fruits. Palate has tart red cherry and raspberry. Lithe and fresh. Finishes with wonderful acidity before the profile turns a little darker fruited as the finish glides along gracefully. (2120 views) | | | Tasted by mgstull on 5/24/2015 & rated 92 points: 2 hour decant. Dark red. Generous and fruit forward. Black cherry, cola, a hint of citrus, and forest floor. Long finish. (1927 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 3/17/2015 & rated 92 points: Better bottle than the last! Hint more bacon on the palate and acidic bite on the finish. (1848 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 3/15/2015 & rated 92 points: Similar tasting note to previous bottle. (1740 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 1/29/2015 & rated 92 points: Tasty quite ripe dark cherries and spice on the nose and palate with silky body and moderate finish. (1678 views) | | | Tasted by kennyd on 12/17/2014 & rated 92 points: Really good. With a simple pour through a Vinturi, it tastes so good. Drinking well now, but MIGHT benefit from just a little more aging. Still, again, very nice. (1475 views) | | | Tasted by mgstull on 12/12/2014 & rated 92 points: Sweet golden raisins on the attack lgive way to raspberry, cranberry, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and nice minerality. (1325 views) | | | Tasted by mgstull on 10/15/2014 & rated 91 points: Mid garnet to clear rim. Black cherry, raspberry, cranberry, provencal herbs, and a hint of dark chocolate. Full finish. (1449 views) | | | Tasted by PSUSteve on 8/9/2014 & rated 91 points: Pop and pour. Red fruit with earth, mushroom throughout. (1666 views) | | | Tasted by mgstull on 2/16/2014 & rated 93 points: Strawberry, raspberry, and black cherry. Provencal herbs and a hint of orange peel. Very elegant. (2045 views) | | | Tasted by kennyd on 12/29/2013 & rated 92 points: Consistent with my 7/4/13 notes. At that time I said wait 12-18 months. I got six months. And then I had about a third of the bottle two days later. It was good the first day, and better two days later. This would suggest that I was correct that this wine will benefit from a bit longer aging. (1998 views) | | | Tasted by dhammer53 on 7/23/2013 & rated 93 points: This was a big wine. Waited an hour after opening before I took the first sip. Mid-weight color, but not taste. Fruity nose to prepare you for what you're about to drink. Smooth and elegant. Tasted mild cherries. The bottle was empty 2 hours after it was opened at Lure Fishbar in NYC. Corkage $30. This is one of Craig's best! (2688 views) | | | Tasted by kennyd on 7/4/2013 & rated 92 points: The Ridgetop is what I conisder to be the more complex, cerebral member of the Sojourn pinot family. This one is closer to a burgundy. Deep ruby in color. With time in glass, it morphs from a red fruit bouquet to then also presenting the panoply of herbal and forest floor aromas of a classic burgundy. The taste is full and lingering. Needed time to get to the point where I was tasting everything that I was smelling. When it got there, it was really nice, but I would still say not as explosive as some of the other Sojourn pinots. You have to like this more subtle, elegant if you will, taste profile. I was questioning whether to bring this with us to Ravinia, but I wanted to taste where it was in its evolution. I got my answer: really good, but will wait 12-18 months on next bottle. This is characteristic of the Ridgetops: they very much benefit from a little more extended time in cellar. BTW right on the edge of a 93, and could move up to 94-95. (2162 views) | | | Tasted by RobertDwyer on 5/22/2013 & rated 92 points: I thought this bottle was quite nice. Typical Sojourn Ridgetop -- one of my favorites -- with inviting strawberries and ripe red raspberries. Really nicely balanced and integrated. Ridgetop tends to be a little pricier than other Sojourns but I think it's worth it. (2453 views) | | | Tasted by Annie1 on 4/2/2013 & rated 93 points: First I should admit that I'm not a big fan of Burgundian wines...way too subtle for my palate but I thoroughly enjoy this beautiful wine. Nose was earthy with mild spices. It was rather sharp when I opened the bottle so decanted for over an hour before pouring. This just evolved to a more delicious wine with every sip and by the end of the evening it was singing. Palate was smooth and then smoother, elegant and soft. Hard for me to pull out specific flavors...soft fruit, subtle spices. It was simply lovely, different from other Sojourns, which are among my very favorite pinot noirs. Definitely a new experience for me and I look forward to the next bottle. (2286 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #76 (1/15/2012)
(Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir Ridgetop Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (9/10/2012)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Ridgetop Vineyard) Medium dark cherry red color; redolent, floral, ripe raspberry, cherry nose; silky textured, floral, ripe raspberry, cherry palate; medium-plus finish 93 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/16/2012)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Ridgetop Vineyard) Medium red color; appealing, floral, tart cherry nose; tasty, tart cherry, tart raspberry, floral palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points 92 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (5/6/2012)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Ridgetop Vineyard) Pre-release (Fall '12 release) - medium ruby color; floral, grenadine, tart cherry nose; rich, grenadine syrup, ripe cherry, baked strawberry palate; appealing now and should go 5-7 years; medium-plus finish 92+ points 92 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of PinotReport and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Sojourn Producer website
Sojourn Pinot Noir Ridgetop VineyardLocated within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean in the town of Annapolis at 1100 feet above sea level, Ridgetop Vineyard is Sojourn’s most coastal vineyard site. The maritime influence effectively moderates high temperatures during the summer and fall while its location on the eastern side of the first coastal ridge protects it from being engulfed by fog, enabling the vines to produce ripe, tropical fruit with ample acidity. Ridgetop is owned by Fred Schrader and Thomas Brown and is managed by rock star vineyard manager, Ulysses Valdez.
Clones: 777, 667, 115
Rootstock: 101-14
Planted: 2002
Soil Type: Goldridge Loam
Producer Fact Sheet
2013 Fall Release NewsletterPinot 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.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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