2024 UV Silver Eagle Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 750mL

This Pinot Noir is a masterclass in balance, marrying explosive fruit with a refined, savory structure. Perched atop Stoetz Ridge, the site occupies a dramatic crossroads between the cool Sonoma Coast and the sun-drenched Russian River Valley, allowing for extended hang times and natural harmony. Originally developed in 2006 by legendary grower Ulises Valdez and still meticulously farmed by his family, this 30-acre site has become a magnet for "Hall of Fame" winemakers like Thomas Rivers Brown, Mark Aubert, and Paul Hobbs. The vineyard’s Goldridge and Sebastopol rocky clay-loam soils naturally limit vine vigor, resulting in small, concentrated berries with intense depth. The vineyard features a sophisticated mix of heritage clones: Calera and a rare "suitcase" clone, Vosne-Romanée. The combination of these clones creates a uniquely savory, terroir-driven profile that is both complex and unmistakable.
94 Points - Wine Spectator
94 Points - Owen Bargreen