A legendary producer of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Tom Rochioli traces his family heritage back to some of the area’s first plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1959 his father and grandfather planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc which was a great learning experience. The Cabernet did not grow well at the location and was pulled out in the 1970s. However, the Sauvignon Blanc planted remained a resounding success. Today these same vines are still in production and are considered some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in California. Inspired by the wines of Burgundy, Tom’s father planted Pinot Noir in 1968, as he likened the cool climate to Burgundy.
The Rochiolis began selling their grapes to Bynum winery in the 1970s and then later Williams Selyem in the 1980s but Tom was inspired to make his own wines. Then in 1987 they released their first estate wine. He also has been selling Chardonnay to David Ramey for several years. Utilizing a minimalistic style of winemaking, Rochioli focuses on individual blocks of wine that show subtle differences in fruit and terroir. They have crafted some incredible new wines across the board. I love their 2018 Rocholi ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay (WWB, 93) which punches above its weight class for the price. Look to their outstanding 2018 Rochioli ‘River Block’ Chardonnay (WWB, 95) which shows good opulence and a wonderful veil of tension and minerality. Just as good was their utterly sensational 2018 Rochioli ‘Little Hill’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) which has great weight and amazing flavor and aromatic range. Learn more about this famed estate at http://www.rochioliwinery.com Here are the great new wines by Rochioli.
2018 Rochioli ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay by Rochioli shows lovely nutty and earthy tones that combine with melon and ripe pear tones on the nose. The palate is soft and round with a great sense of acidity and mouthfeel. The length of the wine provides the wonderful crescendo as this is not only bright but has a really good sense of weight and balance. Gratifying to enjoy in its youth, the 2018 Rochioli ‘Russian River Valley' Chardonnay has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Rochioli ‘Sweetwater’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Sweetwater’ Chardonnay is another gorgeous effort by this famed Russian River Valley outpost. Once on the nose the damp earth aromatics combine with honeydew melon and shades of butterscotch and lemon zest on this evocative bouquet. The palate is round and generous, showing great acidity, weight and mouthfeel. Seamless, effortlessly gliding across the mid-palate, the combination of weight, salinity, elegance and acidity is sensational here. Great to enjoy in its youth, the 2018 ‘Sweetwater’ Chardonnay will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2018 Rochioli ‘River Block’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘River Block' Chardonnay is a stunning new effort from Rochioli. On the nose shades of wet stone and wild mushroom artfully meld with the core of orchard fruits and creme brûlée tones that all sing in unison in the glass. The palate has gobs of acidity with a silky mouthfeel and wonderful veil of tension. Bright lemon zest combines with vanilla cream, ripe pineapple and mango tones, with light salinity and nutty accents. A complete wine, the 2018 ‘River Block' Chardonnay is thrilling to enjoy in its youth and will provide drinking enjoyment for the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2018 Rochioli ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir by Rochioli is another gorgeous effort from his storied estate. On the nose this takes on sour red cherry with loganberry tones alongside baking spices and shades of black truffle aromatics that build in the glass. The palate is soft, round and generous, delivering a silky mouthfeel and layers of bright red fruits with sassafras, peat moss and cola tones. Complex and downright delicious to savor in its youth, the 2018 ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 92
2018 Rochioli ‘Sweetwater’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Sweetwater’ Pinot Noir is a sensational effort by Rochioli. Orange zest, umami, red currants and shades of teaberry all mingle on the nose. The palate is seamless as the wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Layers of ripe red fruits are woven together with forest floor and cola tones, with suggestions of white truffle salt. Mesmerizing to enjoy even at this stage, the combination of weight, acidity and tension suggests this beautiful wine will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2038- 95
2018 Rochioli ‘Little Hill' Pinot Noir- One of the great Pinot Noirs from California that I have sampled over the past year, the 2018 Rochioli ‘Little Hill’ is a thrilling joyride from start to finish. Salted pomegranate seed and rose water tones combine with raspberry coulis and damp earth tones on this beautifully perfumed nose. The palate is utterly seamless as layers of bright red fruits mingle with umami, orange rind and salted charcuterie tones. A complete wine, this gorgeous new effort will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2038- 95