2020 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Durell Vineyard

Taking on a touch darker profile, the 2020 Pinot Noir Durell Vineyard is ripe with black raspberry, candied red flowers, and sweet herbs. Medium-bodied, with an elegant texture, it fills the palate with more ripe mixed berry fruit, fresh soil, and a floral flourish on the finish and has good length with clean lift. Drink 2023-2030. This Chardonnay and Pinot Noir house is a member of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners and is based in Sonoma. The name comes from the founder and principal, Bill Price III, who was nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks” by childhood friends for the Roman numerals after his name. He got his start in the wine industry when he purchased the Durrell Vineyard in 1998 and founded Three Sticks in 2002. Ryan Prichard came on to the team in 2015 to apprentice alongside winemaker Bob Cabral (previously of Williams Selyem) before taking over the position he holds today as Director of Winemaking. With key holdings of Durell Vineyard and Gap’s Crown Vineyard as well as other sites in the West Sonoma Coast AVA, these wines are on my radar to watch over the coming years. This report's wines were tasted with winemaker Ryan Prichard this May in Sonoma. Additionally, Ryan is responsible for the impressive Cabernet Sauvignon wines of Flambeaux, which were reviewed separately.

This crowd-pleasing offering leads with exuberant cherry and plum jam notes, with a dash of red licorice coating the juicy, open-knit finish.

Aromas of baked cherries, cloves and bark. Medium-bodied with soft tannins. Juicy with savory spice carrying through onto the palate with a textural finish. Drink now.