2021 Raen Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

The 2021 Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert is outrageously beautiful. Deep, pliant and layered, the 2021 is an absolute delight. A burst of sweet red berry fruit, sage, mint, crushed leaves and spice all open in a yielding, mid-weight Pinot endowed with striking balance. There's gorgeous texture and resonance here. Silky tannins wrap up in the inviting finish.

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.

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.