2022 Ernest Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 750 ml

Ernest Vineyards’ Sonoma Coast Pinots have become a darling of some of the top restaurants in the country—they sit proudly on The French Laundry’s wine list alongside names like Williams Selyem, Peter Michael, and Marcassin—because they deliver outstanding quality. 

But none of the wines that Ernest Vineyards makes delivers value like this Sonoma Coast bottling, which is sourced from a murderer’s row of top sites that all bear the extreme influence of the Pacific Ocean: names like Cleary Freestone Ranch, Joyce, and Grand Vent Vineyard. The results are stunning, with Burgundian aromatics of crushed raspberries, tea, and a hint of orange zest, all married to a smooth palate that starts ripe and finishes bright and refreshing.

The extreme conditions that produce exceptional Pinot from the true Sonoma Coast and Petaluma Gap makes those regions expensive to farm. The area is cooler and wetter than farther inland, so vineyard management is more intensive, requiring a sharper eye towards spotting disease early and more proactive canopy management. 

That’s why the area is home to a slew of triple-digit-priced Pinots. With the work required in the field, you have to aim every decision towards truly exceptional Pinot Noir—there’s no middle ground. Producers either have to go big or go home. 

Ernest is no exception: The French Laundry recognized the quality of their Cleary Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot, and NoMad LA is a noted fan as well—but winemaker Joseph Ryan pays special attention to their Sonoma Coast bottling. It’s the most affordable Pinot they bottle, so it’s an invitation to new Ernest fans—and an everyday cellar essential for lovers of elegant Sonoma Pinot.