91 Points: 2012 Pinot Noir Sea Slopes, Fort Ross Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Well-defined, ripe-cherry fruit is met in the nose by a nice dollop of sweet oak and hints of stony soil spice, and the same is true of the like-minded flavors that follow, but in both cases, the wine holds back just a bit owing to its very obvious youth, and it winds up for now on the firmer side of the varietal spectrum. That, however, is certain to change over time, and we are eager to see what awaits once it has had a chance to soften and smooth.
91 Points: 2010 Pinot Noir, Fort Ross Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Even if starting to show a slight note of aged complexity and a touch of early suppleness on the palate, this solid, well-structured wine is a few years away from finding its full voice. Its deep and very continuous themes of extracted cherries are accented by intriguing highlights of green tea and forest-floor spice, and, while still a bit grippy and tannic, it has more than enough fruity flesh on its ample bones.
91 Points: 2012 Chardonnay, Fort Ross Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Do not be concerned about the slightly hazy appearance of this deep and wonderfully well-filled Chardonnay for there is absolutely nothing amiss here. From its rich, mildly creamy aromas of ripe apples and pears to its like-minded, very long-lasting flavors, it is as clean as it is juicy, and generous fruit abounds at every turn.
91 Points: 2011 Chardonnay, Fort Ross Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Wonderfully juicy and bursting with sweet and slightly pulpy, apple-like fruit and enriched by an enticingly creamy bit of caramelly oak in its very deep and well-focused aromas, this fully filled-out Chardonnay is enlivened by plenty of pert acid and, while claiming only 12.8% alcohol, is surprisingly concentrated and very fleshy in feel. If sure to age gracefully, it is quite showy now and will match up nicely with well-seasoned salmon fillets in the immediate term.
91 Points: 2007 Pinot Noir Reserve, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Although the richest of the several Fort Ross Pinots reviewed in this month's issue, the 2007 Reserve is also the most mannerly and refined of the bunch as well. Its inviting cherry and pastry-crust smells are followed up with like-minded flavors that show a certain measured refinement, and its extra time in the bottle is in part responsible for its polish. It makes for thoroughly satisfying drinking right now, but it still has room left for a bit of additional growth.
90 Points: 2009 Pinot Noir, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Despite being located within splashing distance of the Pacific, the vineyards at Fort Ross sit high enough up in the coastal hills that they are able to give off wines that are both ripe and balanced. Here, the black cherry nature of the fruit is filled out by invitingly spicy nuances and hints of dried flowers.
90 Points: 2009 Pinot Noir Symposium, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Nicely focused varietal fruit is the mainstay of this composed and carefully crafted offering... We are especially pleased with its continuity and its exceptional finishing length.
90 Points: 2005 Pinot Noir Reserve, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
If cast in the same, slightly restrained model as its sibling, [2005 Fort Ross Pinot Noir] the Fort Ross Reserve [has] more richness and depth. It firms up at the finish ….after its supple beginnings, but its precise, well-defined fruit sustains nicely and encourages three or four years of further patience. Very limited availability. Medium Red. Balanced, good depth, medium tannin. Beef and lamb. Drinkable now. Further bottle aging can improve this wine.
90 Points: 2005 Chardonnay Reserve, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Slightly hazy in appearance and youthfully alive in its pulpy apple and pear aromas, this rich and fairly open wine holds little back in either nose or mouth. It is fleshy in feel with a viscous front end and a rounded finish that is lengthy, flavorful and layered. Bottle age is not required here, yet the wine's depth will hold it in good stead for a while.
91 Points: 2004 Chardonnay, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Ripe and well-extracted with a strong sense of ripe apples as a counterpoint to its plentiful oak, this fleshy, yet firmly structured youngster shows fine continuity in the mouth and excellent length at the finish. It has a trace of eleventh-hour angularity to lose yet, but this is a Chardonnay that can take a bit of age, and a year or two of cellar time seem certain to bring it into near-classic form.
90 Points: 2003 Chardonnay, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Persistent and plentiful fresh-apple fruitiness is the driving force of this vital and very well-made Chardonnay, and the wine's lightly laid-on oak and suggestions of minerals serve as comfortably complexing accents. Fairly intense, but not at all heavy, the wine is bright and balanced from front to back and ends with a lengthy and layered finish. Its shows its cool-climate origins without sacrificing richness, and it will make a fine foil to simply grilled swordfish or salmon or a wide range of richer shellfish dishes.
90 Points: 2002 Chardonnay Reserve, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
If a little hazy in appearance, the wine makes good use of its "extra" bits through its ripe, pulpy, juicy fruit in its impressively deep, creamily oaked aromas. It is full and viscous on the palate, and some may find it a little on the soft side, but its more than adequate fruit keeps it at the top of its game. It does not require much by way of age at this point and should be enjoyed in the near term. Very limited availability.