CALIFORNIA
Merlot & Blends
93 Pahlmeyer Merlot Napa Valley 2016 $90
Hedonistic, featuring dark plum, kirsch and cherry tart
flavors that are lavishly oaked. Shows a plush texture
throughout, with creamy notes and a long finish filled
with dark chocolate, mocha and Asian spice details. Drink
now through 2023. 2,300 cases made.—K.M.
92 Aperture Sugarloaf Vineyard Napa Valley
2016 $100 Juicy and powerful, featuring plenty of inky
accents to the dark plum, dark cherry and dark currant
flavors. The long finish is rich, with dark chocolate and
cast iron details and black pepper hints. Merlot blend.
Drink now through 2024. 100 cases made.—K.M.
91 Barnett Merlot Spring Mountain District
2016 $70 Cedar and cigar box notes accent the well-
framed dried red fruit and savory spice flavors. Offers lithe
minerality, with poppy seed cake hints on the finish. Drink
now through 2022. 1,100 cases made.—K.M.
90 Larkmead Firebelle Napa Valley 2016 $165
Intense dried savory elements accent the brooding dark
fruit and spice flavors. Muscular mocha and loamy notes
show midpalate, with a finish that offers cream and baker’s
chocolate details. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit
Verdot. Drink now through 2023. 1,293 cases made.—K.M.
90 Whitehall Lane Merlot
Napa Valley 2016 $32 A taut
and sanguine red, with roasted
cherry and macerated plum flavors
that feature plenty of slate notes.
Accents of ground black pepper and
dried green herbs show on the tan-
nic finish. Drink now. 4,252 cases
made.—K.M.
JASON MOULTON
Winemaker89 Ehlers Estate Merlot St. Helena 2016 $55 A
minerally style, with dried cherry and raspberry flavors
that are supported by crisp acidity and firm tannins. Dried
green herb notes linger on the finish. Drink now through
- 450 cases made.—K.M.
89 Pride Merlot Napa Valley 2016 $62 This
features a tensile structure to the red plum, green olive
and raspberry flavors. The minerally finish offers floral
and chocolate accents. Drink now through 2021. 4,404
cases made.—K.M.
87 St. Francis Claret Sonoma County 2016 $22
Zesty, offering lively acidity behind the dried cherry and
pomegranate flavors. White pepper and dried savory
herbal accents show on the finish. Merlot, Malbec and
Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 3,290 cases made.—K.M.
CALIFORNIA
Pinot Noir
95 Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV-SL
Vineyard 2017 $85 See Highly Recommended,
page 81.
94 Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
Confluence Vineyard 2016 $86 Offers a lilting flo-
ral aroma, with flavors to match, as well as a delicate mix
of fresh-crushed red fruit and dried berry elements.
Weighty and rich midpalate, featuring a long and con-
toured finish, loaded with engaging minerality and hints
of dried meat and underbrush. Complex and well-crafted.
Drink now through 2024. 521 cases made.—K.M.
93 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2016 $75
Suave, featuring a silky texture to the dried berry, pome-
granate coulis and forest floor flavors, backed by medium-
grained tannins. Burnished mineral and hot stone notes
emerge midpalate, with a finish of cedar and dried spice.
Drink now through 2024. 850 cases made.—K.M.
92 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Napa Valley Carneros
Hyde Vineyard 2017 $85 Robust, with juicy richness
to the dark cherry and roasted plum flavors that are well-
structured and a feature a creamy texture. The minerally
finish shows peppery accents. Drink now through 2023.
997 cases made.—K.M.
92 Luna Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Winemaker’s
Reserve 2017 $45 Delicate and complex, this length-
ens out nicely, with a mix of underbrush and dried berry
flavors supported by firm acidity. The rich finish features
dried meat and cedary accents, revealing some creamy
hints. Drink now through 2023. 1,081 cases made.—K.M.92 Masut Pinot Noir Eagle Peak Estate Vineyard
2017 $40 Lithe, pure and rich-tasting, with concen-
trated dark plum, currant and cherry pastry flavors, sup-
ported by crunchy acidity. Intense violet notes emerge
midpalate, leading to a spicy finish that lingers with slate
and spice details. Drink now through 2023. 2,450 cases
made.—K.M.91 Foley Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Barrel Select
2016 $68 Broad, rich and well-structured, with a com-
plex mix of loamy and minerally accents to the dark cur-
rant, raspberry and black olive flavors, framed by firm
tannins. Chocolate and Asian spice details show on the
luscious finish. Drink now through 2023. 690 cases
made.—K.M.91 Spear Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2017 $45
Fleshy, with focused flavors of dried cherry and raspberry,
flanked by notes of crushed stone and brick. The miner-
ally finish is long and finely contoured, showing hints of
Christmas pudding. Drink now through 2024. 415 cases
made.—K.M.
91 Tamber Bey Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Sun
Chase Vineyard 2017 $75 Notes of forest floor ac-
cent the mouthfilling flavors of black olive, dark plum
and chocolate nib. Dried Asian spice details show on the
chiseled finish. Drink now through 2023. 502 cases
made.—K.M.
90 Foley Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills T Anchor
Ranch 2016 $55 Big and brambly, featuring dense
flavors of dark plum, olive and baked cherry, accented by
notes of slate and forest floor. Jammy details show on the
fruity finish, with plenty of mocha and spice hints. Drink
now through 2023. 692 cases made.—K.M.90 Migration Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2017
$40 Well-framed flavors of raspberry tart, cherry and
plum are supported by fine-grained tannins. Rose petal
and hot stone notes combine for a sumptuous finish that
lingers with a silky texture. Drink now through 2024.
21,000 cases made.—K.M.
90 Sanford Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Founders’
Vines Single Block 2015 $120 Crisp and minerally,
with refined flavors of red currant, spice and dried rasp-
berry that are well-knit. Dried rose petal details show on
the savory finish. Drink now through 2023. 115 cases
made.—K.M.90 Scherrer Pinot Noir
Sonoma County 2015 $38
Broad-textured, with silky nuances
to the floral-imbued flavors of
cherry, plum and raspberry. The
creamy finish is loaded with choco-
late accents and luscious spiciness.
Drink now through 2023. 275 cases
made.—K.M.FRED SCHERRER
Owner & Winemaker89 Böen Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2017 $35
Lively cardamom accents support the ripe dark cherry and
blackberry flavors. Creamy midpalate, with a finish offer-
ing cocoa powder notes. Drink now through 2021. 4,350
cases made.—K.M.New Releases: CaliforniaSEPT. 30, 2019 • WINE SPECTATOR 103