92pts Tasting Panel
Red cherry and shaved cocoa are heady scents. The flavors of tobacco, cinnamon, pomegranate pith, and sandalwood form a charming parade. This is a juicy red, with unearthed raspberries and a spiced cedar finish.
92pts Wine Enthusiast
This moody, dusky, flavorful wine offers rich black tea, forest duff and black-cherry notes on a full body framed by light tannins. Complexity without noticeable oak, length and a supple mouthfeel make it especially enjoyable.
91pts James Suckling
An attractive nose of red cherry, sliced strawberry and hibiscus. Medium-bodied with gentle tannins. The palate has more wet mineral and wild berry notes than the nose lets on, giving it more width and depth through the juicy finish.
90pts Wilfred Wong
The 2021 Schug Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is balanced and lively on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of tart red fruits, a hint of spearmint, and a touch of dried earth. Pair it with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: July 18, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
Winemaker Notes
The microclimates of the Sonoma Coast AVA include the western portion of Carneros and the Petaluma Gap. The cool climate and low yield of these vineyards allow Pinot Noir grapes to mature slowly while retaining their natural acidity, resulting in a balanced wine with ripe flavors, silky texture, and crisp acidity. Aged primarily in large oak casks and “neutral” older barrels, this wine exhibits flavors of cherries, strawberries, and spice, with a lively finish that is an ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and fowl or barbecued meats.