Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2015 Pinot Noir Ellenbach Vineyard is scented of black cherries and black raspberries with tree sap and wild thyme nuances plus a waft of forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with intense, fresh black and red berry layers with a chewy backbone and wonderful freshness, finishing on an earthy note.

Another outstanding effort is the 2014 Pinot Noir North Ellenbach Vineyard from Sonoma Coast. This is from pure Goldridge soils. The wine is deep, rich and full-bodied with loads of red and black fruits. It is a delicious wine to drink over the next 5-6 years.

The only other Pinot Noir I tasted from the North Coast was the 2013 Pinot Noir Ellenbach Vineyard, from Goldridge soils and Dijon clones 828 and 115. This was aged 13 months in one-third new French oak. The wine shows a darker fruit side, with black raspberries, black cherries, excellent ripeness, good purity, decent acidity and a medium-bodied finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

This group of wines merits inclusion although only one is from Sonoma. The outliers include the 2012 Pinot Noir Ellenbach Vineyard, a vineyard north of Annapolis on that famous coastline. Its dark ruby color is accompanied by notes of berry fruit, earth and underbrush offered in a spicy, medium-bodied style. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.