Aston 2021 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 93 Points

Wine Spectator 93 Points: “This pumps out tasty mulberry and black cherry fruit paste flavors, which show drive and focus as singed anise, warm earth, and black tea notes come into play. Reveals late savory and bramble notes, which inject a nice hint of wild energy into the well-structured finish. Best from 2024 through 2030. ”

Thomas Rivers Brown: “For the first time ever, we attempted to make this wine a more accurate reflection of the coast as a whole. The 2021 Aston Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a blend of Aston Estate fruit, as well as fruit from two different Pinot Noir vineyards, Riddle and Joy Road, located more southernly, around the town of Occidental. The result in the glass highlights the dark, umami-rich forest floor character of the Estate fruit, interwoven with vivacious red fruit and bright acidity that is the hallmark of Occidental-area vineyards. The mouthwatering quality of this appellation level wine is probably what I like best about it simultaneously providing really nice weight without growing heavy or tiresome.”