2009 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch
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Tasting notes
The 2009 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch is one of the more immediate wines in this flight of 2009 Pinots. It shows good up-front intensity but less of the aromatic delineation and overall complexity of some of the other wines in this lineup.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Pinot Noir Moonshine Ranch is one of the more immediate wines in this flight of 2009 Pinots. It shows good up-front intensity but less of the aromatic delineation and overall complexity of some of the other wines in this lineup. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Martinelli is one of the original pioneering families in Sonoma. I tasted a wide range of wines during a recent visit. The 2008 Syrahs, from a challenging vintage, are a bit up and down, but the rest of the wines are all outstanding. As always, these are fairly bold, extroverted wines, but their overall balance is typically superb. Tel. (707) 525-0570
Vivid ruby. Sexy aromas of cherry-cola, smoky minerals, dried rose and fruitcake, along with a high-pitched, spicy nuance. Tightly wound but at the same time displaying intense dark fruit and spice character. Finishes with subtle floral character, excellent persistence and fine but gripping tannins. This could use some time to stretch out.
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.