LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
2016
“The vibrant ruby-colored 2016 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beauty. Brought up in 25% new oak and not destemmed, it has a good mix of red and black fruits, spicy oak, sappy flowers, and underbrush. Juicy, taut, and vibrant on the palate, with bright yet integrated acidity, it has a balanced style that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for a decade or more.”
95 points- Jeb Dunnuck
“Bradley Brown goes 100% whole cluster for this single-vineyard expression with stunning results. Aromas of sagebrush, pine needles, damp thyme and wet soil meet with tart raspberry on the distinctive nose. The palate’s tangy red fruit is lifted by tea leaves, wild green sage and zesty acidity that vibrates the tongue. ”
95 points- Matt Kettman, Wine Enthusiast
Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose is replete with whole cluster goodness including aromas of dark cherry, exotic spices, burnt pipe tobacco and compost. Heady fruits including black cherry, boysenberry and blackberry are accented with redeeming notes of spice and tobacco, and framed by silky and supple tannins. The mouthfeel is comforting, oak is judiciously integrated, and the juicy, long finish leaves quite a gratifying impression. Even more striking when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This wine has personality. ”
94 points & Honorable Mention- Rusty Gaffney, PinotFile
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard is intensely floral and savory and yet it also has enough fruit to fill out the mid-palate and finish nicely. Crushed rose petal, star anise and orange peel are some of the many nuances that round out this attractive, mid-weight Pinot in the Big Basin range.”
92 points- Antonio Galloni, Vinous
2015
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck
93+ points- Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Bradley Brown opted for 70% whole cluster on this forest-spiced bottling, and the result is a nose full of green peppercorns, tangy green plum, fennel and tapenade. That olive element is also strong on the sip, where green sage, thyme, marjoram, juniper and tangy underripe plum flavors keep the palate entertained. ”
93 points- Matt Kettman, Wine Enthusiast
“This vineyard is in Corralitos, a relatively low-elevation site in the southern reaches of the Santa Cruz Moun- tains planted on sandy loam. The wine has a cranberry fruit austerity, with notes of cel- ery root and bitter orange. Close your eyes and you might think you are drinking a rich white. But it’s saturated with woodsy spice, giving it the grip of a delicate red. Pour it with fresh sardines off the grill. ”
91 points- Wine & Spirits
91 points- Rusty Gaffney, PinotFile
2014
95 points- Matt Kettman, Wine Enthusiast
91 points- Antonio Galloni, Vinous