2021 Raen Pinot Noir Fort Ross-Seaview

Mid shaded garnet. Very deep flavoured – intense redcurrants – and rather jewelly. Lots of edginess to this. Appetising finish. Some expensive oaking here? (JR)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Sea Field is intensely floral and full of flavor, with cool-climate savoriness driving a core of bright, red-toned fruit. Deceptively medium in body, the 2021 has a ton of complexity waiting to emerge. Time in the glass brings out compelling inner perfume and quite a bit of nuance. But, it is tightly wound and quite reticent at this stage.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Sea Field is a transparent jeweled ruby color and takes things up a notch with its superb aromatics of ripe cherry, gravelly earth, and fresh rose petal. Medium-bodied, with sweet tannins and notes of ripe black raspberry and fresh herbs, it maintains a light sunny touch to its slightly darker profile. Drink 2025-20240. Carlo and Dante Mondavi founded RAEN in the West Sonoma Coast AVA with the goal of seeking California Grand Cru-equivalent sites in the Freestone-Occidental area, and this year saw the promotion of Melanie McIntre from associate winemaker to winemaker. Less than two miles from the ocean, their wines are vibrant expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the vineyard, they practice no-till farming. The 2021 vintage introduces the first vintage of the Chardonnay Lady Marjorie, an homage to their grandmother and intended to be the counterpoint to the Royal St. Robert tribute of Pinot Noir. Seafield is a roughly 4-acre vineyard and is the rockiest site, with an eastern exposure at 1500 feet of elevation. Bodega is surrounded by redwood forest and is the smallest vineyard at just under two acres. Though the Chardonnays are certainly high quality, the Pinot Noirs capture another level of personality and energy that I find quite compelling.