I was just checking out some online info on the Sens3s Winery. Seems to be co-founded by a couple kids of some decent known vineyard owners (Max Thierot and Miles Briggs of Thierot and Hillcrest Estate Vineyards).
It seems that TRB is listed as the winemaker and they have had a couple of vintages of Sonoma Coast Chard and Pinot so far. Anyone tried any of these? Any info on future single vineyard offerings?
These guys were one of the highlights of WoW - Chicago for me this past year.
Had a really nice time chatting with Chris Strieter, one of the co-founders, who was pouring at the event.
I understand doing events to raise your profile, but it sucks when you find an up and coming place like this with great wine and the production is so small there’s none really available for purchase.
That being said, they were pouring their '13 Sonoma Coast Chard, and '13 Sonoma Coast Pinot at the event and Chris had a bottle of the '13 Hillcrest Single Vineyard Pinot stashed under the table that he shared with us as well.
I’m not a huge white wine guy but the Chard was very good and thought the pinots were exceptional.
If it were available he likely could have easily had me in for a couple bottles of all 3.
I’m on the list hoping that this is the start of good things to come.
I was not a fan of their 2012 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast.
It was not your style, it was poorly made? Please elaborate…
Thanks!
Tasted the wines at West of West in Sebastopol last August - knew nothing about them at the time. I particularly liked their 2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, and thought it was one of the standouts of the tasting.
West of West Wine Festival 2014
Senses Wines
Senses 2012 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast. Sourced from two vineyards, fermented in 100% new oak puncheons and aged in 90% neutral oak, with extended lees contact. Very light straw color, this displayed aromas of higher-toned apple and pear fruit plus herbs and lees. Medium-bodied with good acidity and a smooth finish.
Senses 2012 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. Sourced from Hillcrest Vineyard (115, 828, Swan, and Calera clones) and Tanuda Ridge Vineyard (115 and Swan clones). Medium-light ruby color, with savory/herbal aromas upfront along with black cherry, earth, and a touch of baking spice. Medium-bodied with a lively texture and a chalky mineral note on the finish, nice.
Senses 2012 Pinot Noir, Hillcrest Vineyard, Sonoma Coast. A non-commercial wine from a single neutral barrel of Swan clone Pinot. Medium-light garnet color, with black cherry fruit and lots of spice on the nose. Medium weight on the palate, this finished with moderate tannins.
Comments: Senses is a new project from three longtime friends Chris Strieter, Max Thieriot, and Myles Lawrence-Briggs. The parents of Max and Myles are owners of noted Occidental-area vineyards – B.A. Thieriot Vineyard and Hillcrest Estate Vineyard respectively. Nearby Tanuda Ridge Vineyard is also a fruit source. Noted vintner Thomas Rivers Brown makes the Senses wines. Myles, Max, and Max’s wife Lexi were behind the table at the event, and poured a sample of a non-commercial wine they’d made in addition to their inaugural Senses releases.
Thanks for the notes, Ken. I think I may try their wines in the near future…
I detected a distinct rubber aroma, consistent across multiple bottles I purchased. I noticed another reviewer on CT had a similar experience with this particular wine.
I read a bit about that…Let’s hope the 2013s do not have this attribute!
Hi All!
This is my second post to the forums so would like to say thanks for your kind words and interest in our project. I’m one of the co-founders of Senses along with childhood friends of mine Max Thieriot (B.A. Thieriot) and Myles Lawrence-Briggs (Hillcrest Estate). Wanted to answer a few questions and open the forum to any further questions in case you have any.
First ever single vineyard wines released 8/31/2015 for the Fall Release in limited quantities. This release featured our two estate vineyards: B.A. Thieriot Chardonnay and Hillcrest Estate Pinot Noir. Next single vineyard release to be Fall, 2016 featuring both estates as well as Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay. Current setup is appellation wines in the Spring and single vineyards in the Fall.
Thank you for the kind words and so great to meet you! The 2013s have been an absolute crowd favorite.
Sorry to hear that, Scott. If you purchased, then please send me an email at chris@senseswines.com and I can issue you a credit on your next order. We stand by our wines 100%. Copying what I posted in another forum about 2012: ‘we worked with Carroll Kemp for the 2012 vintage and then partnered with Thomas for 2013 and beyond. We’ve learned a lot about winemaking and vineyard management since beginning this project and we are proud of the direction we have moved in. We have always kept the original Pinot Noir vineyards under management but dropped the primary component of our 2012 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, which we found didn’t match our expectations taste and quality wise.’
They definitely don’t. I wish we made more of both 2013 Chardonnays as they have been a hit across top restaurants and people I’ve talked to.
All my best and hope you are all well! We are picking Hillcrest tomorrow, Heintz Friday and Thieriot very soon. Harvest came early and fast this year with yields quite low.
Chris