Gap's Crown Vineyard has become one of the most iconic Pinot noir vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. It was originally developed by Premier Pacific Vineyards between 2002 and 2005 and later purchased by Price Family Vineyards in 2013. In 2007, Sojourn Cellars became one of the best to make a vineyard-designate wine from Gap's Crown. Our clone 115 block, planted in 2005 on 3309 root stock at 800 feet elevation, has been the foundation for Sojourn since we began making Pinot noir from this vineyard. Our clone 828 block was planted in 2002 on 420A root stock, and two clone 667 blocks round out the blend, both planted in 2004 on 3309 root stock. This hillside vineyard is situated on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain and is cooled by the persistent wind and fog of the Petaluma Gap.
WINEMAKER NOTES: The 2021 growing season offered optimal conditions in the Sonoma Coast to harvest grapes of exceptional quality. The air remained clear with no res in Sonoma and pandemic lock downs ended. Our spirits were lifted and the grape harvest and wine quality benefited. . Brief heat waves in August and September ripened the grapes to ideal maturity as the weather stayed dry until major rains arrived October 22, after our grapes were harvested. Yields were lower than average in 2021, with small berries and loose clusters creating wines of increased depth and concentration. In 2021 we blended destemmed clone 115 and clone 667, while fermenting all the clone 828 100% whole-cluster. The resulting wine, our 15th vintage of Pinot noir from Gap’s Crown Vineyard, offers complex layers of elegant fruit flavors with a bold strength at its core.
Review:
Like a majority of the Sojourn 2021 Pinot Noirs, the Gap’s Crown is also aged in 50% new French oak but sees approximately 15% whole cluster during fermentation. This Pinot Noir is always one of my favorites coming out of the Sonoma Coast, and the Sojourn 2021 is another beautiful example. A shimmering ruby-garnet core with a blueish rim in the glass, it assembles bountiful notes of dark cherry compote, fresh black raspberry, spiced blue plum skin, brown mushroom, salty sea breeze, liquid chocolate, and hints of dried lemongrass. Complex, engaging, and downright delicious, this should be a wine that everyone should seek out to try. 1025 cases were produced. Better in 2023 and then enjoy for the next 12–15 years. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.
- International Wine Report 97 Points
Sojourn Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The core of Sojourn Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay is from the same vineyard source as the highly-acclaimed Sojourn Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot noir wines. This wine features a combination of Clone 95 Chardonnay from Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard and Old Wente Clone from Sangiacomo Vella Ranch. The Roberts Road block, planted in 1998, provides minerality and vibrancy. The Old Wente Clone selection is known to produce distinctively small clusters, low yields, and results in elegant, complex wines that round out this blend. These ranches are perfectly suited for growing Chardonnay, with cool climates and well-draining soils.
Sojour Chardonnay is fresh and lively, fruit-forward with bright acidity, stone fruit, citrus and apple flavors that leave your mouth watering.
Sojourn Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The core of Sojourn Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay is from the same vineyard source as the highly-acclaimed Sojourn Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot noir wines. This wine features a combination of Clone 95 Chardonnay from Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard and Old Wente Clone from Sangiacomo Vella Ranch. The Roberts Road block, planted in 1998, provides minerality and vibrancy. The Old Wente Clone selection is known to produce distinctively small clusters, low yields, and results in elegant, complex wines that round out this blend. These ranches are perfectly suited for growing Chardonnay, with cool climates and well-draining soils.
Sojour Chardonnay is fresh and lively, fruit-forward with bright acidity, stone fruit, citrus and apple flavors that leave your mouth watering.
Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is made from 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot.
This Cabernet Sauvignon was produced primarily from grapes sourced from Oakville Ranch Vineyard, sitting at 1,000 to 1,400 feet above sea level with a westward aspect overlooking Napa Valley. The vineyard was replanted in 2006 by esteemed organic viticulturist Phil Coturri, and is fast gaining a reputation for producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. The rocky clay, loam and basalt soils have a heavy iron influence providing structure, power and depth. Cabernet Sauvignon lots fermented separately from two other vineyards that reside in alluvial soils along the Oakville foothills were blended in to add expressive fruit character and lush tannins.
This blend of our generous and supple Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by Oakville Ranch Vineyard. Located in the hills among famous neighbors Dalla Valle, Pedregal and Backus vineyards, Oakville Ranch produces powerful, rich, structured wines. Cabernet Sauvignon wines made from two other vineyards along Skellenger Lane were blended in to add expressive fruit character and lush tannins. Each component of this blend spent four weeks fermenting on skins to ensure that the tannins and fruit flavors were balanced. The resulting wine is rich and vibrant, offering vivid flavors of blackberry, raspberry, cassis and mocha.
Review:
Powerful and richly flavored, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon carries lush flavors of red and black plum, wet tobacco and layers of oak. Tannins are densely packed, velvety-textured and persistent. A wine of generosity.
-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
Sociando Mallet Haut-Medoc is made from 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Château Sociando-Mallet produces full-bodied wines with a deep, dark color. The complex bouquet is dominated by red and black fruit aromas with a touch of minerality, floral and spicy notes. Fresh, harmonious and nicely balanced in the mouth with a solid tannic structure and good acidity that promises a long aging potential. The mid-palate is pleasant with a nice density of fruit. A silky and fruity finish.
Red meat, dishes in sauce, poultry, strong goat or cow cheeses.
Sobrenatural Tinto Organic is amde from 80% Tannat and 20% Malbec from Chakana’s Finca Nuna vineyard, fermented with indigenous yeasts. Sobrenatural is a new line of certified biodymanic and no Sulphur added wines from Chakana’s Nuna vineyard.
Deep, dark fruit aromas. Firm tannins balanced by a juicy, soft texture, good acidity and length.
Pairs with empeñadas, pork chops, Chorizo, spicy food, grilled vegetables.
USDA Organic
Fermented with native yeasts in concrete vats for 6 months (no epoxy sealing). No fining, no filtration, no additives. NO SULFITES ADDED.
DAOU Vineyards Soul of a Lion is made from 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot.
The 2019 Soul of a Lion is a blockbuster vintage that showcases how Bordeaux varieties are remarkably suited to the terroir of DAOU Mountain. This wine explodes from the glass with a kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors, including blackberry, blueberry, black currant, dark cherry, sweet tobacco, and licorice. An added floral dimension imparts an integrated sense of elegance and freshness. While full-bodied with ultra-high phenolic levels, this wine maintains its evenness and poise through an extraordinarily long finish. Structured, balanced, and powerful, the 2019 Soul of a Lion will reveal its full magnitude after several years of careful cellaring.
Review:
The 2019 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of free-run Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby in color, it offers aromatic contrast between dark, savory cherry fruit, chargrill and graphite, and top notes of green pepper and rose petals. The palate explodes with detailed flavors and its tannins are already resolved and chocolaty, with seamless acidity and exotic spicy layers emerging on the extended finish. Wow!
-Wine Advocate 97+
Bastgen Kestener Paulinshofberg Riesling Kabinett is 100 percent Riesling.
Kesten is a small village right by the Mosel surrounded by steep vineyards called Paulinsberg (=hills of Saint Paul). The vines grow on bridle clay slate near the river - a classic terroir that has been cultivated with vines ever since Roman times. Riesling is the most typical grape of the Mosel region that produced a fruity Kabinett with beautiful peach aromas on the nose, rich and ripe fruits on the mouth with honeyed notes and a refreshing acidity. This is a very pleasing wine.
They meticulously tend 4.5 ha (11.11 acres) of which 80% is Riesling. The soil is made of slate. Their vineyards are located in Kesten and Brauneberg, on a steep terrace, and planted to 50-year old vines. Fortunately for Bastgen, they own part of the famous Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr. The vines produce very small, ripe berries that are very tasty.
The grapes are strongly selected, only minimal amounts of botrytis are tolerated. At time of the harvest the grapes are fully ripened with a golden color and tart acidity. After a natural sedimentation process the fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks under cool conditions. The wine remains on the lees until April, then is gently filtered once, and bottled.