Our love for Cabernet spans decades, and our passion for Pinot Noir runs to our very core. We have long admired and enjoyed the lush, richly flavored, and bright Pinot Noirs from California’s West Sonoma Coast. In 2007, founder Fred Schrader, along with good friends and current proprietors David and Judy Steiner, became the proud owners of a phenomenal parcel of land, two ridgelines in from the Sonoma coastline within the fantastic Fort Ross – Seaview AVA. Thanks to the vineyard management prowess of Ulises Valdez, Sr and the winemaking excellence of Thomas Rivers Brown, what started as a grassy, untamed hilltop where wild boars roamed freely has been transformed into a world-class West Sonoma Coast vineyard, our Boars’ View.
FORT ROSS - SEAVIEW | WEST SONOMA COAST
In 2023, winter rains, which continued into the late Spring was incredibly beneficial for our wells and groundwater supply. The cool Spring kept soil temperatures low and delayed budbreak. Once the vineyard woke, the cover crop flourished as did the vigorous canopy growth going into the Summer months. June – August, we experienced mild temperatures with almost no heat spikes. This cooler, moderate trend continued into the Fall, and harvest occurred a few weeks later than typical for the Boars’ View Estate. The prolonged hang time allowed for the fruit to develop exceptional levels of maturity and complexity across the board. All blocks were handpicked at night and delivered to the winery in the early hours of the day. This was a classic West Sonoma Coast growing season.
This vintage produced a striking, structured wine marked by crisp minerality and a refreshing salinity. The sauvage bramble fruit is complemented by notes of crushed rock and mouth-watering acidity. In the glass, the wine exhibits a dark ruby hue. Aromatic notes suggest boysenberry, purple lilac, ocean air, rhubarb, and rose oil. The palate is marked by a densely layered dark fruit core suggesting plum reduction, quince, river rock, lavender and pomegranate. This is one of the finest vintages we have had the pleasure of working with in many years. – Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown
CRITICAL PRAISE, Rated 95+ From the lower part of the vineyard, with more richness and depth, the 2023 Pinot Noir BDR (BDR stands for Bohan Dillon Road), is a deep red color and opens to dark notes of cherries, dark berries, mossy earth, wild herbs, and dark earth. Full-bodied, it has ample fruit on the palate with a dark mineral undercurrent. Tightly coiled and nervous, with a structured grip, it’s going to benefit from another year in bottle, when I anticipate it will improve. Drink 2027-2047. – Audrey Frick, www.jebdunnuck.com
FORT ROSS - SEAVIEW | WEST SONOMA COAST
“In 2023, winter rains, which continued into the late Spring was incredibly beneficial for our wells and groundwater supply. The cool Spring kept soil temperatures low and delayed budbreak. Once the vineyard woke, the cover crop flourished as did the vigorous canopy growth going into the Summer months. June – August, we experienced mild temperatures with almost no heat spikes. This cooler, moderate trend continued into the Fall, and harvest occurred a few weeks later than typical for the Boars’ View Estate. The prolonged hang time allowed for the fruit to develop exceptional levels of maturity and complexity across the board. All blocks were handpicked at night and delivered to the winery in the early hours of the day. This was a classic West Sonoma Coast growing season.” – Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.
CRITICAL PRAISE, Rated 96 This vintage created a confluence of quality and quantity at the Boars’ View Estate Vineyard. This will be a vintage to remember for its abundance of dazzling, complex fruit paired with architectural structure and focused minerality. The wine possesses a dark garnet hue in the glass with a rose-hued halo. Vivid aromas swell from the glass, suggesting notes of cedar bough, plum skin, and mint. The sleek palate has a round mouthfeel, layered with notes of black cherry, oolong tea, and violet. The finish extends for a lengthy amount of time, providing ample opportunity to reflect on this dynamic wine from an excellent vintage. This is a vintage where the stars aligned and the result in bottle is one to be savored.. – Audrey Frick, www.jebdunnuck.com
FORT ROSS - SEAVIEW | WEST SONOMA COAST
Our estate, Chardonnay, is extremely limited. The vineyard is about one acre and planted entirely with the Wente clone. “Luminescent, structured and kaleidoscopic are all apt descriptors for this stunning example of site and varietal from an exemplary vintage. A warm golden hue radiates in the glass. Layered aromatics notes suggest polished brass, flint, and lemon curd. The viscous palate is marked by precise notes of lychee, grapefruit pith, citrus oil, Asian pear, and flowering jasmine. The wine possesses a striking balance of full-bodied mouth feel coupled with an angular laser-focused acidity that pleasantly extends the floral finish. From the top of the Estate vineyard into the depths of your memory, this wine embodies the full potential of site and vintage” — Winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown
CRITICAL PRAISE, Rated 94 “Coming from the top of the vineyard, the 2023 Chardonnay The Coast features an uncommon touch of flinty reduction that I happen to like and that Thomas credits more to this vintage’s character than a deliberate stylistic choice. It’s fresh and bright on the nose, with a zesty lift of sea spray aromas, wet stones, honeyed apples, and lemon curd. The palate is full and has a silky texture, compact intensity, and a long finish.” Drink 2025-2035. — Audrey Frick, www.jebdunnuck.com