WINE TASTING: An Outstanding Pinot Noir from Adobe Road Winery
- andychalk
- 14 minutes ago
- 1 min read

by Andrew Chalk
A lot of good pinot noir is coming out of California but this one is exceptional.
Notes from the producer:
Vineyard & Winemaking:The Sangiacomo family has been a trusted partner for years, farming their Roberts Road Vineyard in the windswept Petaluma Gap with incredible precision. The region’s persistent wind thickens grape skins, bringing extra color and flavor intensity to Pinot Noir. We co-fermented three clones—115, 777, and Pommard—to build complexity from the start. Aging in light and medium toasted French oak barrels brings structure and aromatic lift without overshadowing the fruit.
Vintage:The 2023 vintage in Sonoma County followed an unusually cold, wet winter and spring—over 50″ of rain, rare snowfall, and lingering cool conditions delayed budbreak and bloom. Flowering and veraison were slow, pushing harvest into October or even early November. The extended hang time yielded high tonnage with bright acidity, balanced sugars, and elegant fruit quality.
TASTING NOTES
NAME: | Adobe Road 2023 Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Sonoma Co., CA ($74) |
COMMENTS | |
APPEARANCE | |
Clarity | clear |
Intensity | medium |
Color | ruby |
NOSE | |
Condition | clean |
Intensity | medium plus |
Aroma Characteristics | Cherry, herbaciousness, sage, thyme, leather; |
| |
PALATE | |
Sweetness | dry |
Acidity | Medium |
Tannin | medium, smooth |
Alcohol | medium |
Body | medium |
Flavor intensity | pronounced |
Flavor characterstics | Smooth tannins. Very intense flavors that are effusive on the palate. Cherries, herbaciousness, dark chocolate. Beautiful balance. |
Other observations | |
Finish | long |
Quality Assessment | Very good. |
Bottle aging | Outstanding. |
Sample.






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