La Pitchoune
Spell Estate
Umino Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. The next single vineyard Pinot Noir is the Umino Vineyard from the Sebastopol Hills of the Russian River Valley AVA. It is aged in 33% new French oak and only 49 cases produced.
Deep ruby red with a purplish core. Dark floral notes on the attack of the nose followed by crushed gravel and dark raspberries. Medium plus acidity (7/10) and medium plus bodied. Rich palate with dark cherries, cigar box and a little earthy. Dry and long finish. Needs a bit of time to round out. Drink till 2027. $$ — 6 years ago
La Pitchoune
Pratt Vineyard Chardonnay
Singing tonight! Smokey, minerally aromas mix with hints of crushed rock and Anis. The complexity! Ripe green apples and bosc pear flavors mingle with a lemon creme brulee character. Complete harmony! — 7 years ago
La Pitchoune
Holder Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2013
Sample. Inaugural vintage of this bottling. Deep garnet red. Fuller, more complex and layered in the nose and palate than the Sonoma Coast Pinot. Tons of roses, dark cherries, strawberries, cinnamon, black tea bags, raspberries and even a touch of black/blue fruits. Moderate acidity (7/10) and moderate tannins (6.5/10) with a medium plus body. Mouth watering and rich on the palate. Started off a little savory with red cherries, raspberries and cranberries. Long and lingering finish with a slight minerality. Great structure and well balanced. Drink till 2024. (91+) — 8 years ago
La Pitchoune
English Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. Next red from La Pitchoune is their English Hill Vineyard. Aged for 11 months in 25% new French oak barrels and only 98 cases produced.
Brick edges and a medium ruby core. Rich nose with purple flowers, dark red berries, blood orange rind and cherries. Medium plus acidity (7.5/10) and medium bodied. A bit young on the palate and green with a freshly broken twig underneath notes of strawberries, under ripe cherries, white pepper and earth. Long finish. Still a baby that needs a little bit of time to open up nicely. Drink till 2028. $$ (90+) — 6 years ago
Spell Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
@Delectable Wine this is the Spell Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. Surprise inaugural vintage from Spell which is made up of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot from Napa Valley. It is aged in 50% new French oak and only 50 cases produced.
Deep and dark ruby red with a bit of brick on the edges. Layered nose with heavy cassis, dark cherries, spices and a touch of black fruit at the end. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Complex palate layered with cinnamon, baking spices, dark berries, touch of cola, blueberries and dark berries. Smooth and balanced throughout with a long finish. Drink till 2029. $$$ (93+) — 6 years ago
Spell Estate
Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. First up is the Russian River Valley Chardonnay which is aged for 16 months on the lees in 33% new French oak. Only 150 cases produced from the Dutton Sullivan Vineyard.
Medium lemon yellow. Balanced oak on the nose with green apples, even a touch candied apples and some spices. Medium acidity (6/10) and medium plus bodied. Well rounded with a rich texture. Touch of oak coming through on the palate with brioche, apples and some peaches. Medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2022. — 6 years ago
La Pitchoune
Chenoweth Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. Next white from La Pitchoune is their Chenoweth Chardonnay. Aged for 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels.
Light to medium lemon yellow with a light greenish hue. Layered nose with granny smith apples, pears, a touch floral and ending with some citrus zest. Medium acidity (6.5/10) and medium plus body. Fresh and crisp on the palate with some underlying richness with notes of melon, green apples, white peaches and some crushed wet rocks. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2026. $$$ (91+) — 6 years ago
La Pitchoune
La Bombe Meritt Island Clarksburg Chenin Blanc
@Delectable Wine this is the La Pitchoune Chenin Blanc ‘la bombe’.
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. First up for La Pitchoune is their inaugural vintage of 'la bombe' which is their Chenin Blanc from Merritt Island. This Chenin recevied its name when Andrew and his crew would just pound these bottles, making it 'the bomb'.
Medium yellow in appearance. Savory start to the nose with some green onions or onion grass, then finishing with green apples. Medium acidity (5.5) and a light plus body. Rounded palate with some grassiness, Granny Smith apples and a touch Stoney. Easy going and a nice hint of dryness in the medium plus finish. Drink younger if you like the freshness, savory qualities will only grow with age. Drink till 2021. $ — 6 years ago
Spell Estate
Terra de Promissio Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. First single vineyard Pinot Noir is the Terra de Promissio from the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma Coast AVA. It is aged in 50% new French oak and only 49 cases produced.
Lush medium ruby red with a light purplish hue. Quite floral on the nose with some white pepper and strawberries. Medium acidity (6.5/10) with good tannins and a medium plus body. A bit of tobacco on the palate with some dark raspberries and gravel. Dry and medium plus finish. Drink till 2026. $$ — 6 years ago
Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
Second stop in Sonoma with Andrew Berge of Spell Estate, La Pitchoune and Tiny House to name a few. Last red from La Pitchoune is their Black Label VDK from the Van der Kamp Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain. Aged for 12 months in 25% new French oak barrels and then aged for an additional 11 months in 50% new French oak. That is a total of 23 months in French oak and only 48 cases produced.
Deep ruby red with purple core and garnet edges. Rounded and lush nose with dark cherries, raspberries and a little bit of cola. Well balanced and integrated acidity (6.5/10) with a medium plus body. Light spices on the palate like cinnamon and nutmeg followed up by rich raspberries and a bit of gravel in the long finish. Drink till 2030. $$$ — 6 years ago