2023 WALT Sierra Mar Pinot Noir

Jeb Dunnuck, Virginie Boone

"It looked like it might be tough to top the 2023 Rosella’s, but the 2023 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar does just that, youthful and juicy with plenty of time to go in bottle. It exudes complexity, offering layers of salty, herbal intensity, especially showy in a high level of sage and chaparral. Enduring elegance and restraint hallmark the beauty of the site in a beautifully cool-climate year, with structure to go another 10-15 years."

95 POINTS

The Wine Palate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

"The 2023 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir is pale to medium ruby-purple in color. After a swirl or two, it bursts with bold notes of fresh mulberries and black cherries, plus nuances of cedar, cardamom, and lavender. Full-bodied, the palate is dense with black fruit and cedary flavors, supported by grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy."

94 POINTS

Owen Bargreen

"The 2023 ‘Sierra Mar’ Pinot Noir come from this site owned by the Francioni family as the high-elevation site was formerly a cattle ranch. Pisoni clone Pinot Noir is planted here, as this opens with back florals alongside sandy soils. The palate shows loads of mouth-watering acidity with kumquat zest and rose water with shades of menthol."

93 POINTS

Wine Enthusiast, Tom Kettmann

"A bit brisk on the nose at first, this wine's tangy pomegranate aromas open up toward sagebrush, thyme and peppercorn on the nose. The palate snaps with cranberry and bay leaf flavors."