Sonoma wines just age so gracefully. Sitting across Sojourn director of winemaking Erich Bradley we talked about the vintages and the wines that he presented me. “I think that 2014 was a super vintage” he said. Wafts of truffle lined this beautiful Pinot Noir that was still remarkably fresh and elegant.
Sojourn Cellars has been crafting outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay now for more than two decades. It all dates back to 2001 when two tennis friends–Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley–who shared a passion for two things: great wine and tennis. With Erich’s experience as an Assistant Winemaker at Arrowood Winery, the two developed a plan to produce small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from outstanding vineyard sources. They began with a hundred cases of Cabernet Sauvignon that they sold to friends and family. Today they produce 21 different wines and have customers worldwide. Randy Bennett serves as winemaker and general manager.
I was surprised how well these Chardonnay wines cellared. Now at over a decade old, the 2012 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) remains very vibrant and fresh with a silky texture and great sense of weight. I adored the 2014 Sojourn ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is deep and concentrated with plenty of salty character from this incredible vineyard in the Sonoma Coast. Learn more about these great wines at sojourncellars.com and here are my reviews of the older wines poured to me at Sojourn Cellars.
NV Sojourn Sparkling Wine- This is a limited production wine that is made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. This is a zero dosage wine that offers brioche and saline drenched pear on the nose with hints of cashew nut. The palate shows good weight with wonderful structure and copious minerals. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2012 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This is beautifully evolved Chardonnay showing honeysuckle and nutmeg dusted brioche notes alongside roasted pineapple tones. This is wonderfully fresh with ripe peach, Marcona almond and juicy Japanese pear notes with serious viscosity and length. The silky mouthfeel makes this even more enticing. Drink 2023-2029- 94
2013 Sojourn ‘Durell Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This wine comes from this storied Sonoma site and comes off very nutty and stony on the nose. Salted Macadamia nut alongside peat moss, nectarine and lemon rind with vanilla cream notes come together on the palate. Showing serious length, this is beautiful, refined Chardonnay that will cellar well for another five years. Drink 2023-2029- 94
2014 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2014 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a treat to enjoy right now. Red rose petals come together with Marello cherry, ripe pomegranate seed and shades of orange rind. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is plush and soft with a silky texture and no rough edges. This will easily go for another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2014 Sojourn ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- An outstanding wine from this warm vintage, the 2014 Sojourn ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, comes from this storied Sonoma Coast site which neighbors the Pacific Ocean. The wine is very rich and salty with incredible tension and very pure red fruit flavors. Citrus rind and shades of white truffle combine with the salty red fruits, as this is a stunning wine that is just hitting its stride. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2021 Sojourn ‘UV Lucky Well Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This comes from a site in the Sonoma Coast that is at the top of the Coastal Range. Aged in 50% new French oak, vines were planted back in 2008. This comes off very perfumed with red rose petals alongside ripe strawberry and salted orange rind. The palate is deep and concentrated with loads of crunchy and salty red fruits that combine with Mandarin orange zest and serious length. Beautiful and pure, this is a beautiful new Pinot Noir that will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2023-2038- 94