Reviews
Reviews from The Connoisseurs' Guide, July 2010
91 points, 2007 LA ROCHELLE Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - Maybe it is some kind of blind bias for the wines from this Pinot Noir region, but with so many good offerings from La Rochelle, it is the Russian River Pinot that has turned out to be our choice. We like its bright, keenly defined red cherry fruit, we like its dried flower nuances and we like its supple, slightly velvety yet keenly balanced stance on the palate. Some may find its evident, latter palate acids to be a bit too high. We do not, but we do expect them to smooth further with age.
89 points, 2007 LA ROCHELLE Pinot Noir Classic Clones Arroyo Seco - Comfortably combining notes of sweet red cherries with creme brulee oakiness and a rich whiff of cocoa, this wine is balanced and very much under control and decently polished from front to back. Its background acidity keeps it on the firm side in the late going, but its fruit stays the course, and there is every reason to let it age out for a few years.
2005 PINOT NOIR, GARYS' VINEYARD, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $52
94 - Wine Enthusiast, August 2008
Very full-bodied and rich, offering a wealth of ripe fruit and even some dry, gritty tannins, this will stand some time in the cellar. Itâￜￜs explosive in red and black cherry pie, currant, raspberry and cola flavors, with a rich edge of melted milk chocolate, and the vanilla spice and caramel of new oak. Just a tremendous palate experience. - S.H.
92 - Wine Spectator, May 2008
Fresh and floral, with plum and black cherry blossom scents that turn rich and complex on the palate, maintaining its fruit purity while picking up subtle mineral and savory earth flavors. Drink now through 2012 - J.L.
90 - Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, June 2008
Sporting all the flesh and bluster that Garys' Vineyard is capable of delivering, this bold effort from La Rochelle again pushes the ripeness envelope and comes up a bit syrupy and tannic for its sins. Yet, these are sins of success, and the wine is going to be remarkably popular with those who ask for a touch of sinew underneath their supple-textured Pinots. It can age for a while, but it also carries the stuffing to serve today with savory lamb dishes.
2005 PINOT NOIR, SLEEPY HOLLOW VINEYARD, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $38
91 - Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, June 2008
High in richness and high in ripeness, this outgoing, plush effort combines sweet cherry notes, scents of plums and hardwood smoke and a veneer of caramelly oak in its prominent aromas. Full and somewhat fleshy in feel yet kept on course by enlivening acids in the latter palate and finish, the wine does push the ripeness envelope a bit if one is looking for French-styled Pinot Noir. That said, it is invitingly tasty and can partner all manner of rich foods.
90 - Wine Enthusiast, August 2008
This pale-colored, light-bodied wine is elegantly crisp, an easy, fine wine to down over roast salmon or pork. It shows subtle flavors of cherries and cola, with darker overtones of pomegranate jam and balsam. Not an ager, but fine now and over the next four years.
2005 PINOT NOIR, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $38
91 - Wine Spectator, September 2008
Supple-textured, with ripe, vivid black cherry, raspberry and red plum fruit that's well-defined, lean and vibrant, ending with an elegant, pleasantly earthy aftertaste. Drink now through 2011. 364 cases made. âￜￜJL
91 - Wine Ethusiast, August 2008
Shows much of the richness and complexity of the wineryâￜￜs single-vineyard bottlings from the appellation, but at a lower price, which makes it a good value. Itâￜￜs a dry, softly tannic wine, rich and elaborate in cherry, raspberry, blackberry, currant, mocha, cola and spice flavors that go on and on. - SH
2005 PINOT NOIR, PARAISO VINEYARD, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $40
90 - Wine Enthusiast, August 2008
The vineyard has been a consistent source of good to great Pinot Noirs for Paraiso winery. Now La Rochelle dips into it, with successful results. Itâￜￜs a dry, elegantly silky but complex wine, with an array of cherry, raspberry, rose flower, cinnamon spice and smoky vanilla flavors, heightened with crisp acidity. Drink now. - SH
Archived Reviews:
2005 Pinot Noir, Classic Clones, Arroyo Seco
2004 Pinot Noir, Garys' Vineyard, Santa Lucia
2004 Pinot Noir, Monterey