Tasting Notes
La Neblina means ‘the fog’ in Spanish, and this Pinot is drawn from three vineyards that thrive in the Pacific Ocean’s foggy summer mornings and the afternoon sunshine that follows. Alberigi Vineyard lies in the heart of the Russian River Valley, and its unique Goldridge loams—so particular to this area—are farmed organically. Then, Dierke Vineyard is a certified-organic hillside site on the western flank of Sebastopol planted in 2006 on Goldridge soils. The fruit from this site is famed for its powerful and expressive nature, complementing the more elegant and restrained Alberigi fruit. The Radio-Coteau estate vineyard in Occidental, just 12 kilometres from the ocean, rounds out the trio of western Sonoma’s coastal sources, contributing wild spice and silky, seductive textures. Across all three vineyards, a patchwork of clones (777, 114, 115, Mt. Eden, Calera and Burgundian Heirloom) lends further complexity.
Handpicked and fermented with 20% whole bunches, only the free-run juice was sent to neutral, tight-grained barriques and puncheons for 16 months’ maturation. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Capturing the misty forest floor and wild-berry fruit of the cool Sonoma Coast, the 2021 is a seductive and vibrant Pinot Noir: perfumed, elegant yet powerful with pitch-perfect texture and a lingering close. In the words of winemaker Eric Sussman: “It’s singing!”
Made with 20% whole cluster fermentation and all used barrels, the ruby-hued 2021 Pinot Noir La Neblina has a floral and spicy perfume with a refined feel to its notes of candied roses, ripe red cherry, and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, it has a refined tannin structure, a silky texture, and a good balance of fresh and ripeness. Pure, with raspberry and brambly herbs, it’s in a great place already and will do well over the next 6-8 years. 94 points. - Jeb Dunnuck
In the 20 years since its foundation, Radio-Coteau has developed a cult-like following among those who prize purity, balance and finesse. Yet, while Eric Sussman’s wines sell out on allocation each year, he remains a salt-of-the-earth grower who shies away from cultivating an attitude of exclusivity. Crafted from the hillsides of California’s North Coast, the wines broadcast authenticity and a strong sense of place. They are born from great vineyards farmed with detailed care to maximise quality and expression.
Practically within sniffing distance of the famed Heintz Vineyard and bordering the Russian River Valley, the 17-hectare Radio-Coteau site is located on a ridge 240 metres above Occidental, just 12 kilometres from the coast. The property is home to a diverse agrarian platform; alongside the nine hectares of vines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Riesling and Zinfandel), there are cover crops, owl boxes, raptor perches and beehives. Both organic and biodynamic practices are used, and the vineyard has been Demeter-certified since 2018.
With the muscle work done in the vineyards, Sussman aims to do as little as possible in the winery, again emphasising his “old-world technique with new-world fruit” approach. All fermentations are spontaneous, and there are no additions save for small amounts of sulphur. All red wines are made using free-run juice only, and the whites get only the lightest pressing. Maturation is long and slow, new oak use is minimal, and all wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
You perhaps know enough about the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to know not to hesitate. Yet, as Antoni Galloni has said: “Very few wineries excel at seemingly everything. Radio-Coteau is among them.” For Sussman, Syrah is an unsung hero of the Sonoma Coast. “They’re dynamic and layered with so much depth,” he says of its wines. His bottle-aged Dusty Lane combines silky elegance with delicious, fruity vigour—it’s spot-on. Finally, we offer Sussman’s “captivating” old-vine Zinfandel from 1946 vines rooted in the estate vineyard. No matter the variety, Radio-Coteau’s wines count among California’s most vibrant and nuanced. They call it the Golden State for a reason.
| Product Type | Wine Red Pinot Noir |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Sub Region | Sonoma Coast |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |