2010 Sonatera Vineyard Pinot Noir
Sonatera 2010 Vintage, The Keystone of Soliste.
Memories Of Chambertin
SINGLE VINEYARD, SINGLE CLONE & SINGLE COOPERAGE – MonoClone®
Where it all Began
Sonatera is one of those unique Vineyard sites that truly exemplifies the Soliste philosophy and style. Sonatera is a family vineyard owned by Beth’s sister, Debbie and her husband Marne who have given us the very best through dedication and commitment to the land. The hilltop vineyard has three different exposures, facing north, south, and west. This geography funnels brisk marine winds over the vines reducing vigor, extending the ripening period of the grapes, and allowing distinctive aromatics to develop. Once you have tasted Sonatera Pinot Noir, you will always be able to identify its origins.
The 2010 Vintage is an absolute benchmark of complexity – pure wild cherry aromatics, truffles and natural bright acidity. It is our commitment to produce a small number of cases of extraordinary pinots that exemplify their identity and sense of place – their Terroir – and there is no better example than Sonatera. In 2010, just as in 2009, we pushed this commitment much further, focusing on the single clone that would be in perfect harmony with the vineyard site, aging it in barrels from a single provenance. The results are simply stunning and magical. This is why we make Pinot Noir.
The intense and voluptuous 2010 Sonatera is the result of extreme attention to detail stemming from our vineyard management team’s rigorous practices, flawless harvest at midnight, and our commitment to harness the purity and complexity of one clone from one vineyard. This is the Pinot Noir that launched Soliste and has unparalleled character that spells, “Sonatera.”
Sonatera 2010 embodies all the Complexity, Power, Depth and Soul of a great Gevrey Chambertin, layered with the unique fruit and spice aromatic of this one of a kind Sonoma vineyard site. This Pinot Noir will generate great emotion and deep conversation for years to come. A Classic.
Tasting Notes
Le Regard / The Look
Intense depth and luminosity of dark boysenberries showing density and structure, crushed black cherry robe, with pure reflections of amethyst gem.
Le Nez / The Nose
The nose starts wide, generous and darkly fruited, very sensual and exotic (dark cherries, spiced plums, blackberries), then slowly begins to envelop you while adding notes of cardamom, earthiness, truffles and black pepper. Layers of black tea, caramelized wild cherries and vanilla bean follow-typical to Sonatera. As the wine evolves in the glass or decanter, the aromatics become more virile and muscular with intense dark fruit, the always-present dark wild cherries, laced with oriental spices and cocoa nibs. A lingering aroma of black truffles and elegant toasted French oak accentuates the depth of the wine.
Degustation / The Taste
The palate delivers extraordinary texture and depth with layers of exotic spice and black tea, filling your mouth with an abundance of voluptuous dark fruit and complexity, matched only by the velvety, but dense texture. Sonatera is a spicy mouthful of wild cherry and plum compote, violets, licorice, exotic spices and earthy truffles (The power and charm of Gevrey Chambertain). The mid-palate is pure Sonatera, carrying on the black fruit (caramelized plums and cherries) with fatty vanilla and exotic black pepper. The tannins are extremely polished and well integrated to enhance the spice and herbal undertones, which creates a sense of weight and fattiness. The finish is more reflective of the bright acidity found in red fruit such as raspberries, which bring in harmonious and refreshing aromatics of tart strawberry rhubarb laced with coffee ground and cocoa nibs. Powerful elegance. Irresistible.