2021 RAEN "Royal St. Robert Cuvee" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
In Honor of their Grandfather Robert Mondavi
97-98 Points - James Suckling:
Extremely spicy with iron, forest flower, black tea, and dried strawberry aromas, following through to a medium to full body, with lovely velvety tannins that are integrated and refined, with a long and flavorful finish. Yet it always remains refined and poised in a exemplary way. Needs three or four years still to show it’s true self. Drink or hold.
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
The medium ruby 2021 Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert is expressive with layers of spice, wild raspberry, and wild herbs, as well as anise, beetroot, and rhubarb. Medium-bodied, it continues to unfold in the glass, offering fine tannins and fresh, seamless acidity, with notes of cinnamon stick and ripe raspberry. This is a gorgeous wine with a soft mineral texture and a lot of elegance. Drink 2024-2034.
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.
95 Points - Wine Spectator:
Beautifully defined, with pinpoint damson plum, mulberry and blood orange notes stretched out over a frame of rooibos tea and savory accents. Mouthwatering through the lengthy, unadorned finish, which relies on tension and purity. Drink now through 2032. 2,075 cases made.
95 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
Pale to medium ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert is bursting with fragrant scents of raspberry, cranberry, rhubarb, orange peel, tea leaves and bitters. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with pure, expressive fruit and a long, floral finish. Juicy and inviting, drink it now for all that floral perfume, or let it develop in bottle over the next 5-7 years. Drink 2023 - 2033.
Winery Notes:
RSR stands for "Royal St. Robert" and the bottling is dedicated to their grandfather Robert, who taught and inspired them. A selection of our coastal vineyard sites, this special cuvée offers a window into the cool, rugged hills of the West Sonoma Coast. The RSR fruit is grown around the village of Freestone out on the true Sonoma Coast. Overlooking Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast line, weather is cool leaving the vines exposed at this site. On summer mornings Pacific fog engulfs the vineyard, covering the fruit with essential ocean mist. The fog recedes back in the late mornings, drenching the vines in afternoon sunlight and warmth. Planted to unique selections, including Calera, Pommard, 828, rVR1 and 667, they all offer layers to the final wine and all express a unique interpretation of this cool site.
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Fermentation: 100% whole cluster, natively fermented
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Alcohol: 13%
- Only 24 bottles
