2018 Laguna Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

So what happens when you plant the most site-receptive red grape in a vibrant river valley, ringed by redwoods and lorded over by the cold Pacific ocean? In a vintage like 2018, you silence those skeptical of California terroir, because this wine smells irrefutably like the place it comes from. It leads with freshly-picked coastal berries, both sweet and tart. It has a whisper of crushed seashells and pine sap. The signature notes from our friend Steven Moore's biodynamic Teac Mor vineyard are on display too—the cranberry skin, the pomegranate, the rhubarb, the black tea, and they all seem to come from a well-tuned orchestra. Special year out here for sure.