2004 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch
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Tasting notes
Good deep red. More complex nose combines brambly dark berries and rooty forest floor scents. Lush and creamy if a bit youthfully aggressive today. Shows a distinctly darker fruit character than the Zio Tony example and comes across as younger. A big, broad pinot, finishing with dusty tannins and a suggestion of sassafras. In contrast to the Zio Tony, this really calls for 6 to 12 months of patience.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The extroverted 2004 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch boasts a dense ruby/purple color and a big, sweet nose of blackberries, forest floor, dried herbs, raspberries, and sweet cherry liqueur. Dense, rich, and full-bodied, this is a knock-out, full-throttle Pinot Noir to drink over the next 7-10 years. This wine had just been bottled when I tasted it, so I suspect my ratings might be somewhat conservative. Before readers inundate the office with questions, the Martinellis were not happy with the Syrah vineyards in 2004 and did not make any wines. (Release date 3/06) 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.