2005 Pinot Noir Lolita Ranch
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Tasting notes
Light red. Very expressive, precise aromas of spicy raspberry, redcurrant and wild strawberry. Fleshy and deep in red berry flavor, with gentle acid lift and an expansive, almost liqueur-like intensity on the finish. This really gains power with air but retains freshness and precision. Whatever tannins are here are completely absorbed by the lush fruit.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A new cuvee, the 2005 Pinot Noir Lolita Ranch, comes from the newer Dijon clones, 115 and 777. Light ruby in color with a nose of sweet cherry/kirsch liqueur with hints of licorice and forest floor, this is a lush, fleshy, seductive wine that is appropriately named. This medium to full-bodied, heady, voluptuous style of Pinot should be drunk over the next 5-6 years. Kudos to the Martinelli family, one of the great old winemaking families of Northern California. (They also produce exquisite apples as well.) Previously recommended: 2004 Chardonnay Charles Ranch (91); 2004 Chardonnay Martinelli Road (94); 2004 Chardonnay Woolsey Road (92); 2004 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch (89?); 2004 Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard (89); 2004 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch (92); 2004 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch (90); 2004 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa (93); 2004 Jackass Vineyard (93); 2004 Jackass Hill Vineyard (95) Tel. (707) 525-0570; Fax (707) 525-9463
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.