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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.2 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 84 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by jlgnml on 3/30/2024 & rated 92 points: Elegant for its age and smooth. (42 views) | | | Tasted by Whine-oh on 1/1/2021 & rated 91 points: Revisited this one four years after initial opening. Popped and poured tonight. Paired with grilled salmon. No visible bricking, nor sediment. A more demure offering tonight than four years ago. Still beautiful nose, much softer on the pallet, fruit still there but much less in your face. Mild tannins. Good with food. Good to go tonight. (709 views) | | | Tasted by zinnut on 10/9/2019 & rated 91 points: Still just an incredible wine with no danger of going over the hill. Delicious. My last one, unfortunately. (1034 views) | | | Tasted by Whine-oh on 11/25/2016 & rated 92 points: P n p. Big style Pinot. Still young but balanced. Fruit frwd. No flaws. Does not taste 8 yrs old. Food friendly. Drink or hold for short term. Our wotn compared to a 2000 left bank and a Walla Walla bord blend. (2347 views) | | | Tasted by Selwyn on 7/24/2016 & rated 93 points: Awesome mature with high notes and fruit in a solid clay base. Loved it. (2540 views) | | | Tasted by zinnut on 6/30/2016 & rated 93 points: What an interesting wine. Needs some time to really open up. But when it does it is so bright, blue fruits, blueberry notes, complex and delicious. (2535 views) | | | Tasted by vordo on 8/15/2015 flawed bottle: corked (2718 views) | | | Tasted by JuliannaDHS on 8/1/2015 & rated 92 points: A big Pinot but I still like this. Lots of ripe raspberry, cherry, cola, and spices. Maybe 2-3% Syrah. (2416 views) | | | Tasted by dhammer53 on 3/29/2015 & rated 93 points: I last drank this 3 months ago. How does an '08 wine improved so dramatically in 3 months? This was absolutely stunning tonight. Perfume nose. Spice. Cherries. Smooth. Dinner at MP taverna with Janet and Lew. (1822 views) | | | Tasted by aaronfeigin on 1/2/2015 & rated 94 points: This is a beautiful Cali style Pinot. Good minerality, lots of cherry and plum flavors. Perfectly balanced, extremely enjoyable. One of my favorite Pinots. (1768 views) | | | Tasted by dhammer53 on 12/25/2014 & rated 90 points: This is in a good place right now. Opened up after a couple of hours. No notes. Drank this with a bagels and lox Christmas Brunch. I was pleasantly surprised that this pinot drank vey well alongside smoked salmon. Why not? (1665 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 10/15/2014 & rated 90 points: Light red in color. Almost translucent. 14.7% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, cloves and forest floor. Light in body with just enough acidity. Strawberries, black cherries, cranberries and baking spices on the palate. Quite a bit of earthiness on the finish. Drink over the next 1-2 years. Good but not great. (1606 views) | | | Tasted by Wine Sparty on 8/9/2014 & rated 91 points: Popped and let slow-ox for an hour or so, then drank over a couple hours. Initial aroma was a hit of vanilla, but that lightened up and gave way to some good dark cherry. Also got a bit of oak on the nose. Taste is very straightforward with black cherry, with a bit of tobacco and smokiness. (1556 views) | | | Tasted by JS199 on 7/26/2014 & rated 92 points: Very good. This opened up pretty fast. It was served a little too warm for my taste, but the quality was there. No funk like the Sangiacomo. Big fan of this vineyard. (1427 views) | | | Tasted by jfolbe on 12/15/2013 & rated 90 points: Brown cherry cola nose. Rich and concentrated on the palate. (1953 views) | | | Tasted by ScottGoodwin on 9/14/2013: Medium bodied. Darker fruits. Meaty mid-palate. No herbs or floral elements, Shorter finish. (1580 views) | | | Tasted by stevenjstein on 8/4/2013 & rated 92 points: This bottle definitely showed better than the previous one. Layers of big, but supple, dark red fruit and spice. (2030 views) | | | Tasted by TwoSmoochies on 7/28/2013 & rated 89 points: Needed some time to blow off the candied texture (1875 views) | | | Tasted by ctjared on 7/6/2013: Consistent (1843 views) | | | Tasted by stevenjstein on 4/11/2013 & rated 89 points: Big red fruit, with a heavy texture. A little earth and spice, but not a lot of secondary flavors showing. Also maybe just a touch hot. Overall, a decent Pinot, but a bit disappointing. Might benefit from decanting. (1847 views) | | | Tasted by Naso on 4/6/2013 & rated 89 points: Good straightforward PN but lacking in complexity. I would wait a year or two to see what happens but alas my last bottle (1676 views) | | | Tasted by Pipcelot on 1/2/2013 & rated 91 points: I think of this wine as Burgundian pinot for people who shy away from Burgundian pinots. Some earthiness on the nose which shows up on the palate as appealing acid, cinnamon, and other spices mixed in with cherries and strawberries. The flavor profile may not pair with food as well as other Sojourns. A really well made wine that is delicious all by itself. 91+. (1741 views) | | | Tasted by jupiter33 on 10/21/2012 & rated 91 points: Nice blue fruit and spice and very silky but alcohol is too high and noticeable or would have scored much higher. Mouthfeel is very viscous and thick. (1942 views) | | | Tasted by ctjared on 9/17/2012: Very fruity. Big red. (2215 views) | | | Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 8/1/2012 & rated 93 points: Beautiful aromatics. Light to medium bodied in color and flavor. Nice mix of damp earth and sweet cherry fruit. I hate the term "Burgundy-like" but this is a nice approximation of a premier cru... (2285 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #62 (1/15/2010)
(Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/25/2010)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Intriguing, roses, tart cherry nose; roses, tart cherry, raspberry palate; medium-plus finish 93 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (1/21/2010)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Dark cherry red color; nice black raspberry, blue fruit, plum nose; tight berry, black fruit palate with mid-palate dropout; short finish. (This one's a real puzzler at the moment, as the aromatics are lovely, and it was quite good when I tasted it some months back, but right now it is shy on the palate to the point of a suddenly disappearing mid-palate. Craig Haserot reports that the '07 Gap's Crown went through a similar process of development, not really coming on and showing well on the palate until several months after their other '07s [but fortunately in time for Laube's tasting for WS]. One hopes this bottle will similarly develop.) 87 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (10/25/2009)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Roses, tart cherry nose; ripe cherry, spice palate; medium-plus finish 92 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/14/2009)
(Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast) Barrel sample - plush, spicy cherry, berry palate with depth; medium-plus finish 91-94 pts. 91 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of PinotReport and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Sojourn Producer website
2008 Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Producer fact sheet
The 2008 Gap's Crown Pinot noir shows impressive structure and characteristic velvety blue fruit. This extraordinary site, high above the valley floor, benefits from the cool, Petaluma Gap microclimate. Rocky soil stresses the vines and imparts alluring minerality. The wine again stands out by its violet color, blue fruit, nutmeg and baking spice aromas, and super long finish - a terrific effort illustrating the unique terroir, and a fitting follow-up to the highly rated 2007! 440 cases producedPinot 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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