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2010 Spring Release Newsletter (pdf 1.6mb)

2009 Fall Release Newsletter (pdf 2.2mb)

2009 Spring Release Newsletter (pdf 8.7mb)

Library / Prior Releases

2007 Soliste Pinot Noir Sonatera Vineyard, Sonoma Coast

As we search for the “Pinot Noir Grail,” mother nature, a maturing vineyard and our amazing team combined to reward us with a benchmark vintage. This is a wine of great depth and complexity that will age well and deliver many great memories.

Sonatera is an artisan Pinot Noir vineyard near Sebastopol. On a ridgeline with slopes facing north, south and west the Goldridge Sandy Loam soil with low fertility and high acidity supports Dijon 777 and 115 clones. Each afternoon, brisk marine winds blow over the vines during the growing season. This chilled air reduces the vines’ vigor and extends the ripening period of the grapes without developing extreme sugar, enabling exceptionally complex and nuanced flavors.

Concluding a near perfect growing season, we harvested at midnight to keep the grapes cold for crush. We reserved 15% whole clusters and the balance was gently destemmed. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels with 33% new for 10 months and bottled in late August 2008.

Tasting Notes:
Le Regard / The Look
Vibrant boysenberry and crushed wild cherries robe (color)with a deep cassis clarity and luminosity.

Le Nez / The Nose
Intense aromatics of black fruits, griottes (wild cherries) and quetches (wild dark plums), interlaced with earthy and herbal undertones, violets, exotic Balinese black pepper and mushrooms. As the wine evolves in the glass or decanter, the aromatics become more voluptuous, superbly pure and complex adding vanilla and sandalwood -- what purists wait for in a Pinot Noir.

Degustation / The Taste
Powerful and chewy, dark cherries, black fruits and dark plums are layered with herbal undertones (eucalyptus and mint), mushroom and sous-bois (dead foliage). The wine is very focused and the tannins create fine structure and density. The elegant acidity defines an amazing length and one can hardly speak of finish as the wine keeps going and going with nuances of coffee, chocolate and caramelized plums.

Soliste Sonatera in 2007 possesses great depth and power, yet amazing elegance, silk and grace.  Complete Release Notes (pdf)

2007 Soliste Pinot Noir L’Espérance, Sonoma Coast

Silk and Lace

L'Espérance comes primarily from a small vineyard in the cool Sonoma Coast. The site has a northwestern exposure and a gentle slope with excellent drainage for the Goldridge clay loam soil. Approximately 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean, nightly fog is the trademark of this meticulously tended and sustainably farmed vineyard.

Concluding a near perfect growing season, we harvested at midnight to keep the grapes cold for crush. We reserved 5% whole clusters and the balance was gently destemmed. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels with 25% new for 10 months and bottled in late August 2008.

Tasting Notes:
Le Regard / The Look
L'Espérance is vibrant with bright ruby robe (color) with the clarity of fresh red berries.

Le Nez / The Nose
Ripe raspberry and nuances of groseilles (red currants) with a touch of violet, vanilla and strawberry rhubarb.

Degustation / The Taste
Razor sharp elegance with feminine expression of raspberries, wild strawberries and red currants interlaced with soft sandalwood, elegant tannins, spice and herbal aromas. The long finish is layered with tart red cherries, firm acid and subtle delicate flavors.

Soliste L'Espérance in 2007 is “Silk and Lace” – exceptionally balanced, a wine of great beauty.  Complete Release Notes (pdf)

April 2010, we always look forward to this time of year to celebrate the arrival of Soleil Rouge – our crisp, vivacious refreshing Rosé wth complexity and balanced acid- ity that, we will promise you, will not last long in our cellars. The only thing better than a chilled glass of Rosé, is another glass of Rosé, followed by a glass of Soliste Pinot Noir. Share the joy.

Soleil Rouge is “Le Vin des Amis” – fresh, lively, served chilled to warm your heart and fill you with joy and conviviality. Enjoy with charcuterie, oysters, or our favorite, fire pit paella. Just a few cases are available – this year we will work even harder to drink them all first!

Tasting Notes:
The pinot noir heritage is unmistakable: Luscious aroma of rose petals and groseilles (red currants); followed by the taste of sun-dried Fraise des Bois (wild strawberries) and griottes (tart wild cherries), rhubarb, and raspberry, then finally lingering into bright citrus acidity and spice. Once again we ask, why oh why did we make so little of it?

Our wines are available under allocation by subscribing to our Mail List. Soliste is also available from our restaurant partners where it is best enjoyed with their extraordinary cuisine and good friends.

Library / Prior Releases