Sojourn Rodgers Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 Red Wine

Sojourn Rodgers Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 

Sonoma Coast, CA

95 pts. International Wine Report

This scrumptious Pinot Noir is deeper and fuller-bodied than most Sonoma Coast Pinots, due to the vineyard's location further inland. It's a very rich and complex wine loaded with many classic Pinot Noir flavors, including earth, spice, and dark fruit. Downright delicious! – Wine Factor

FROM THE WINERY

THE VINEYARD

Rodgers Creek Vineyard is well-suited for Pinot noir, sitting high on a ridge in the heart of the Petaluma Gap, and taking the full brunt of wind and thick fog that define this cool climate zone. A hillside block of Pommard Pinot noir clone provides the foundation for this wine, with clone 667 adding a layer of bright fruit and lush textures. The vines grow in light, chalky volcanic ash soils on steep inclines. This causes natural vine stress and gives the wine high concentration levels. The combination of unique soils and dominance of the Pommard clone results in a distinctive wine with signature aromatic notes of earth and mushroom each vintage.

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 fires 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. Pommard clone dominates the final 2021 blend with earthy tones overlaying layers of red fruit flavors. A portion of the grapes were fermented whole cluster, adding aromatic complexity and structural verve. Rodgers Creek Vineyard benefitted from the moderate heat waves, while the fog and wind tempered the microclimate. This allowed for long hang times to develop complex flavors and texture.

• AVA: Sonoma Coast

• 100% Pinot noir (20% whole cluster)

• Open-top fermentation

• Native yeast

• 50% new French oak

• Bottled unfined and unfiltered

• Bottled August 2022

• Alcohol: 14.2%

• pH: 3.65

• TA: 6.0 g/L

• Release date: Spring 2023

• 600 cases produced