Reviews

95 "EDITORS' CHOICE" PINOT NOIR SEA SLOPES 2010 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Here’s more proof that sometimes a winery’s least expensive bottling can be its best. The wine is first class, from the translucent ruby color to the power and delicacy of the mouthfeel. There’s something haunting and distinctly Fort Ross-ian in the wild cherry, mushroom and pine flavors that seem to echo the fog, sun and redwood forests of this remote region. Really delicious now and through 2018 or so. —S.H.

93 PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2009 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Classic Fort Ross Pinot Noir, this is rich and textural. The flavors of raspberry parfait and cherry pie are spicy, honeyed and brightened by acidity. Drink now, but it will slowly evolve in the bottle over the next eight years.

92 CHARDONNAY 2010 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast - July 2012 Issue
Showing the brisk acidity and minerality of this fine Chardonnay vineyard, Fort Ross's 2010 also shows rich, rewarding pineapple, orange, butterscotch and vanilla flavors. Feels opulent, a worthy follow-up to past vintages. —S.H.

94 PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2007 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast - October 2011 Issue
A very beautiful wine that shows the exotic, feral quality of the greatest Pinot Noirs from the Fort Ross area. It’s explosive in wild raspberry and cherry flavors, with hints of pine, cola, wintergreen, anise, bacon and smoky, sweet vanillins from oak barrels. A wine of great pedigree, it’s showing well now, and should hold for the next six years. —S.H.

TOP WINES OF 2011 - #28 CHARDONNAY 2009
95 "EDITORS' CHOICE" CHARDONNAY 2009 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
92 PINOT NOIR 2008 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast - October 2011 Issue
93 "EDITORS' CHOICE" PINOT NOIR SYMPOSIUM 2007 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 PINOT NOIR SEA SLOPES 2009 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
95 "EDITORS' CHOICE" PINOT NOIR 2007 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
93 CHARDONNAY 2008 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
91 CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2005 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
94 CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2004 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
92 CHARDONNAY 2006 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
92 PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
93 CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 CHARDONNAY 2003 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
91 CHARDONNAY 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 PINOT NOIR 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 PINOTAGE 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast

90 CHARDONNAY 2009 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Fragrant peach, honeysuckle, hazelnut and spice notes join a touch of anise. Smooth, rich and creamy, this glides along gracefully. Drink now through 2017. 863 cases made. –JL

90 PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2007 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
October 15, 2011 Issue
Offers deep, complex, focused plum, mineral and black cherry fruit that's supple and delicate. Full-bodied, ending with a subtle mix of flavors laced with sassafras. Drink now through 2016. 344 cases made. –JL

91 PINOT NOIR 2007 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
92 PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2005 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
92 PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2004 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 PINOT NOIR 2005 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
91 PINOT NOIR 2004 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
91 PINOT NOIR 2003 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
92 PINOT NOIR SYMPOSIUM 2003 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 PINOTAGE 2004 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
91 PINOTAGE 2003 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 CHARDONNAY 2004 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
93 CHARDONNAY 2003 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
90 CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast

18 EXCITING CALIFORNIA REDS: James Laube- The best values include a $37 Fort Ross Pinot Noir 2007 from the true Sonoma Coast.

TASTING HIGHLIGHTS: CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIR: James Laube- More great wines as vintages shift gears. From the elegant 2005 and the rich 2004 vintages come nearly two dozen remarkable wines.

A DISCOVERY ON THE SONOMA COAST: James Laube- Fort Ross Vineyard has found a groove. It's a relatively new brand of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that wine lovers should pay serious attention to.

94 PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2009 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
This is a gorgeous wine with complex aromas and flavors of strawberry and spices with hints of briny beef. Voluptuous mouthfeel. Very balanced tannins. All here.

92 PINOT NOIR 2009 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Super nose of leather, chili, shiitake mushroom, and berries. Full-bodied, with wonderfully focused tannins and a spices. So refined and pretty. Gorgeous.

91 PINOT NOIR BICENTENNIAL 2010 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
A red with rich aromas of strawberries and cranberries showing some fresh mushrooms. Palate has some preserves and a long, big finish. This is a full-bodied wine showing nicely balanced acidity.

91 PINOT NOIR SYMPOSIUM 2009 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Interesting aromas of cherries and beef jerky follow through to a full bodied palate with strawberry and aspic. Big tannins for a PN. Give it a year or two to soften.

EXCEPTIONAL: 2009 Fort Ross Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, “Symposium”
Classy aroma of cherry, tea, very faint note of pepper, and a weight that’s a bit Burgundian. A wine that needs aeration; will be lot more complex in 2-3 years.

EXCEPTIONAL: 2007 Fort Ross Pinotage, Sonoma Coast
This thick skinned South African grape often makes an odd wine, but here special clonal material personally cleared through official channels makes a dark, blackberry/plum scented wine with weight in the mid-palate and graceful structure. Faintly rustic finish; a great wine to serve blind to a wine snob.

PINOT NOIR 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
SYMPOSIUM 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast

★★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL: PINOT NOIR SEA SLOPES 2010
Exceptional: very aromatic in character, full bodied, and complex in flavor (plum, rosehips, spicy oak, toast, cherry), this wine has a long palate evolution and a persistent finish. Very fine quality. Needs a bit of aging. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 24% new. Unfined, unfiltered. 924 cases. [2013-2015]

★★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL: PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2009
Subtle and elegant.... The Reserve is outstanding: a rich, full bodied wine with supple texture, light tannin, and a long finish, tasting of plum, raspberry, toast, rosehips, and spicy oak. Very fine quality. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. 303 cases.

★★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL: PINOT NOIR SYMPOSIUM 2009
Excellent - a supple, ripely flavored, full bodied style. It is lightly oaked, well balanced, & long on the finish, tasting of plum, cassis, toast, nutmeg, and spicy oak. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. 3% Pinotage. 515 cases.

★★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL: CHARDONNAY 2009
Elegantly flavored... slightly fuller (than 2010); an exceptional wine: full bodied, complex in flavor, and long on the palate, reminiscent of a medium rich white Burgundy (Cote de Beaune). It tastes of apple, lemon peel, baked bread, vanilla, and spicy oak. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. 863 cases.

★★★★½ EXCELLENT: CHARDONNAY 2010
Elegantly flavored... Crisp Chardonnay, with full body, moderate richness, and a long, crisp finish, tasting of apple, lemon peel, grapefruit, toast, and roasted nut.

★★★★½ EXCELLENT: PINOT NOIR SEA SLOPES 2009
Excellent - The Sea Slopes bottling is fragrant and full bodied, with fine character (red currant, plum, rose petal) and overtones of toast, and modest oak. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. 809 cases.

★★★★ EXCELLENT: PINOT NOIR 2009
Subtle, elegant... fleshy and ripely flavored; a well balanced wine with red currant, plum, kola nut, toast, and spicy oak aromas/flavors. Medium long, lightly tannic finish. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.

★★★★ EXCELLENT: PINOT NOIR BICENTENNIAL 2010
Subtle and elegant... The Bicentennial (celebrating the founding of Fort Ross in 1812) is a bit more floral in character and also more complex. It is full bodied, moderately rich, and well balanced, with a persistent finish, tasting of rosehips, strawberry, red currant, plum, toast, and orange. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. 199 cases.

90 (Best Buy) CHARDONNAY 2008, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast