Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir, La Neblina

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Radio-Coteau Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, La Neblina  – Organic

RadioCoteau is a great success story, with proprietor Eric Sussman producing small-lot, handcrafted wines. Everything is fermented naturally, there are no enzymes, acidulations, very low SO2 is utilized, and the wines are bottled in-house, with neither fining nor filtration. This is always an exciting line-up of wines that remain fairly priced.

Sussman brings a wealth of winemaking experience to the project, most recently as the associate winemaker at Dehlinger. Prior to that, Eric was at Bonny Doon (Associate Winemaker), Comte Armand & Jacques Prieur – Burgundy, Mouton Rothschild & Clerc Milon – Bordeaux.  

Radio-Coteau is a French colloquial expression, translating roughly to word of mouth, or heard it through the grapevine.

The name aptly expresses Eric’s feelings about commitment to the land through sustainable farming, and traditional methods of winegrowing being passed onward.  In starting Radio Coteau, Eric was determined to select the best vineyard sources along the north coastal areas (both Sonoma Coast and Mendocino County), treat the fruit with the utmost care and non-interventionist techniques, and just let nature take its course.

No, this isn’t rocket science. But, the extra attention that he brings to the project translates into things like picking fruit on 4 separate occasions at Savoy, just to get the perfect ripeness.  Long cold soaks (7-10 days) no inoculation for primary or secondary fermentation, no enzyme additions, low SO2 regime, and of course, no fining or filtration.  

Nebblina  Spanish for “fog,” la neblina rolls in from the Pacific Ocean to blanket and cool the coastal Pinot Noir vineyards of western Sonoma County. This is their flagship Pinot Noir, always a cellar favorite, and is comprised of a complex array of four organically farmed West County coastal sites on Goldridge soil.   

The exuberant 2019 La Neblina was assembled from select single-vineyard barrels to best capture and express the context of the vintage and the rolling hills west of Sebastopol.

A balanced intermingling of fruit, spice, and earth, the 2019 La Neblina is a classic expression of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Fresh raspberry, ripe strawberry, and a touch of black cherry playfully lead the way, followed closely by delicate vanilla and cinnamon spice notes and a perfumed potpourri of candied violets and crushed red flowers. Layered hints of cacao nib and sous bois earthiness marry with a solid tannin backbone, imparting synergy and structure along with the gracefully persistent finish. Although approachable in its youth, its complexities will continue to unfold over time, ensuring the 2019 La Neblina will charm at any age.

90 point Vinous:  The 2019 Pinot Noir La Neblina is an attractive, easygoing wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Savory and earthy notes play off a core of sweet dried cherry fruit. The Neblina is a very pretty Pinot.

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