2018 Ferren Wines Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast—like the Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast—comes from declassified fruit that does not make it into Ferren's two single-vineyard cuvées. "With just two vineyard designates, my barrel program is fixed," winemaker Matt Courtney explains. "So it costs me money to make this wine because the fruit isn't any less expensive, but making this allows me to adjust the oak on the single-vineyard wines." It's a gorgeous appellation bottling that far exceeds expectations, with fruit from Frei Road and Silver Eagle vineyards, and crafted with about 10% whole cluster and 20% new oak. It has fine aromatic detail, with alluring raspberries, rhubarb and blood orange with touches of violet and aniseed. The palate is pure and crystalline, offering an array of perfumed and spicy nuances, bursts of juicy acidity and a very long, layered finish. I would drink this by the pallet!
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Lots of spice-laced red and black fruits, peppery underbrush, graphite, and scorched earth notions emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast. This classic Sonoma Coast beauty has medium-bodied richness, some building tannins, and a gorgeous texture and finish. It's still tight and wound up, so give bottles a year or so in bottle. I have no doubt it will keep for over a decade.
The 2018 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a very pretty, supple wine that will give Ferren fans something delicious to drink right out of the gate. Succulent red cherry, plum, spice and cedar are front and center. Silky tannins give this mid-weight appellation-level Pinot tons of immediacy. The Sonoma Coast Pinot is another wine in this range that overdelivers.