I’ve also been impressed with the few bottles of Small Vines that I have tried.
Maybe stuff in Sta Rita Hills / SBC ?
Domaine de la Cote / Sandhi
Chanin / Tyler
2 Likes
My favorites right now are definitely more on the delicate side and are very much like Vince above:
Clarice
Sandhi
Chanin
Occidental
Domain de la Cote
1 Like
Kelley Fox
Mt Eden
Kelley Fox
Goodfellow
Kelley Fox
Patricia Green
Give Kelley Fox a try too!
4 Likes
CA:
Briceland
Cabot
Sandler
Kendric
Mt Eden
Hirsch
OR:
Bow & Arrow
Vincent
Goodfellow
Evesham Wood
Kelley Fox
Martin Woods
McKinlay
Thomas
3 Likes
Chandon de Briailles
Rossignol-Trapet
Pavelot
Hudelot-Noellat
Bouchard Pere
Drouhin
Juillot
2 Likes
Peay
1 Like
They don’t seem to get enough love
Not sure what the release price is going to be, but if you love Rivers-Marie, this is a list you’re going to want to be on when they release the inaugural vintage of 2023s: Platt Vineyard
1 Like
I 2nd Cristom
1 Like
BIG
TABLE
FARM
Terroir for days!
Actually, if you like earthy, this is the jackpot.
This x100
4 Likes
ABC, easy to find at retail and has been very consistent in style over the last 40 years!
3 Likes
Dehlinger has been a favorite since 1984. Reasonably priced, classic Russian River Valley Pinot (lush, fruit-forward but well balanced) and good people. However, they do need some time (4-7 years) from vintage date as far as the Single Vineyard Designates are concerned. Their second Label, Garbro Ranch and the NVD Dehlinger Pinot drink great early.
Raen is doing a superb job with Pinot, but I don’t order from them as they sell it only in 6-packs! I’d rather give them the business directly but I just don’t have room in the cellar and have to get singles on Winebid. Combo of RRV and traditional styles. A favorite is the Royal St. Robert. Love what they’re doing at Raen.
I’ll pay $70-90 for Pinots like: Paul Lato, Rivers-Marie, Ferren, Pisoni (though that is more of a Cab lovers Pinot) and DuMol. And then there’s Walter Hansel which seems to fly under the radar. In the $30-50 range, they are ready to drink on release and on opening, no aeration required, love that easy-peasy aspect of their Pinots (favorites include the North Slope and Cuvee Alyce). And they seem to be readily available at retail, another plus.
Benovia in RRV is another of our long-time go-to’s for Pinot, though they have gotten a tad pricey over the last 5-10 years, now routinely in the $75-100 range for the SVDs.
Oregon makes terrific Pinot, but they are not, generally speaking, lush or fruit forward RRV-like. Just know what to expect. They are a bit lighter in body, but the good ones are complex and a joy to drink. CellarTracker folks/notes have always steered me in the right direction.
Finally, Anthill Farms. More to the tart/cranberry side but with enticing tea notes. Not necessarily lush, but always fantastic and reasonably priced.
Rhys’ style was a bit too austere for my palate, as you’d expect given my recommendations.
There have been a ton of good suggestions already, so good luck with your search. The quest and discovery is part of the experience!
2 Likes
Big Table Farm.
Terroir up the wazoo!
Always a treat to encounter ti.
There are a lot of great options above that I am not going to repeat, but your comments quoted above are tailor-made for Williams-Selyem which I don’t think has been mentioned unless I missed it (other than a reference to another wine that is like WS). Appellation wines are great for the price and numerous fantastic SVDs of varying price.
Sante Arcangeli, Alfaro, Sandar & Hem
1 Like
California: Small Vines
Oregon: Goodfellow
1 Like
Since we are naming everybody now, how about Marcassin.
Wow, doesn’t take much to get to ‘everybody!’