2021 Pinot Noir Wendling
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Tasting notes
Showing both the coolness of the site and the coolness of the vintage, the 2021 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard is ethereal, floral, and savory, with well-defined characteristics of rhubarb, redcurrant, and lavender. Grippy and well-structured, its acidity buzzes beneath the surface, impressively extending the spicy finish of cardamom and black tea. It should age 10-15 years. Ross Cobb’s parents first planted Coastlands Vineyard in 1989 in the colder reaches of the Sonoma Coast in the hinterlands of Occidental. In 2001, Ross started Cobb Wines to work with both estate fruit and other cool-climate sites. A skateboarder with a deep love of music and vinyl records, Cobb worked at Ferrari Carano, Williams Selyem, Flowers Winery, and Hirsch, all in Sonoma County, while growing Cobb Wines into the well-respected collectible brand it is today. He also makes wine for Pachyderm Cellars (Les Claypool’s brand) and Furthermore Wines and farms three estate vineyards himself – Coastlands, Doc’s Ranch, and Abigail’s. Three Anderson Valley vineyards figure prominently in the Cobb Wines portfolio: Vonarburg for Riesling, Kiser for Pinot Noir, and Wendling for Pinot Noir.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Navarro neighbourhood. A mass selection plus clones 667, 943 and 828. Fermented 50% whole cluster and then aged for 22 months in 30% new French oak. 200 cases produced. Gorgeous aromas of sweet raspberry and flowers. Fantastically bright flavours of raspberry have a glinting, crystalline quality as notes of fresh flowers and citrus peel soar through a very long finish. Outstanding silky texture and fantastic acidity. Faint gauzy tannins add texture and depth. Poised, elegant and stunningly aromatic. (AY)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard is phenomenal. Dark and pliant, with tremendous vertical intensity, the Wendling is outrageously beautiful. Succulent dark fruit, lavender, rose petal, spice, new leather, blood orange and a good deal of whole cluster savoriness from the 50% stems are some of the many notes that inform this statuesque, dazzling Pinot. What a wine.
The 2021 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard is very expressive! It has complex aromas, with red cherry, blueberry and briar fruit accented by tones of juniper, lavender, fresh tobacco leaves, fennel and conifer. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with perfumed fruit. It has a seamless frame of chalky tannins, vibrant acidity and a very long, spicy finish.