2021 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Monarch

Also dark ruby , the 2021 Pinot Noir Monarch has more pronounced aromatics of wet asphalt, black raspberry, and anise. Medium to full-bodied, it has ripe tannins and a bit of lifted acidity, with notes of white pepper up front on the palate followed by black cherry and turned soil. Drink it over the next few years. This Chardonnay and Pinot Noir house is a member of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners and is based in Sonoma. The name comes from the founder and principal, Bill Price III, who was nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks” by childhood friends for the Roman numerals after his name. He got his start in the wine industry when he purchased the Durrell Vineyard in 1998 and founded Three Sticks in 2002. Ryan Prichard came on to the team in 2015 to apprentice alongside winemaker Bob Cabral (previously of Williams Selyem) before taking over the position he holds today as Director of Winemaking. With key holdings of Durell Vineyard and Gap’s Crown Vineyard as well as other sites in the West Sonoma Coast AVA, these wines are on my radar to watch over the coming years. This report's wines were tasted with winemaker Ryan Prichard this May in Sonoma. Additionally, Ryan is responsible for the impressive Cabernet Sauvignon wines of Flambeaux, which were reviewed separately.