Ernest Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023

Ernest Vineyards was founded in 2012 by husband-wife duo Todd Gottula and Erin Brooks. Inspired by the wines of Northern California’s rugged coastline, they were struck by the pioneering spirit of winegrowers in the viticulturally extreme conditions and profound wines they can create. Since winemaker Joseph Ryan joined in 2018, the wines have reached new heights and are consistently among our favourite West Sonoma Coast expressions.

Their 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is made from organically farmed fruit grown in cool-climate vineyards within eight miles of the coast. Fermented with indigenous yeasts with a proportion of whole clusters, it's aged for 9 months in mostly used French oak barrels and bottled with minimal SO2.

93/100 - The 2023 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has a youthful ruby color and is bright with aromas of pomegranate, preserved cranberries, pine, forest herbs, and fresh flowers. The palate is tension-packed and medium-bodied, with a compact core and coiled tannins, refreshing, ripe acidity, and a terrific chalky finish. This wine is a fantastic entry to the 2023 vintage, and I’m excited to see the rest of the 2023s from Ernest, but I would snap this one up while we wait. Drink 2025-2035. - Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck

92/100 - The 2023 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is terrific. Rich and generous in the glass, with tons of savory nuance, the 2023 is a wonderfully complete wine. Cedar, dried herbs, new leather, tobacco and incense wrap around the palate. A healthy dose of stems (33%) adds complexity, but it’s the wine's balance I admire most. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous