The Hartford Family's success is quite enviable in Sonoma County. Not only are they one of the most cherished families in this world-class wine growing region, but their wines get the same scores often reserved for wines that charge 2-3 times what the Hartford's ask. The latest release of their Land's Edge Pinot Noir just landed, and the critics are already singing its praises!
Hartford Family Winery was founded in 1994 as a result of Don and Jennifer Hartford's appreciation for the wines, the people, and the unique vineyards near their Russian River Valley home. Located in the Sonoma County town of Forestville, the winery is about 15 miles from the cool Pacific Coast.
Don Hartford grew up on a small strawberry farm in western Massachusetts, and later attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After earning a BA. Don Hartford met his wife, Jennifer Jackson-Hartford, at Santa Clara University in Northern California in 1979. (Shortly thereafter, Jennifer's father, Jess, started a modest 16,000 case winery called Kendall-Jackson.) For more than twenty-five years, Don has been immersed in winemaking and winery management. In the process, Don has returned to one of his first loves-the land and farming.
Land's Edge Pinot Noir is sourced from vineyards located at the "Land's Edge" of the Sonoma Coast AVA. The vineyards are driven by a maritime influence producing a small but concentrated crop of Pinot Noir that is harvested in late September through mid-October. The foggy coastal climate preserves natural acidity in the grapes and helps delineate the purity of fruit flavors and expression of the unique coastal terroir in this wine. Balanced acidity, layers of complexity and firm tannins will allow for long and graceful aging of Land's Edge Vineyards Pinot Noir.
Earlier we mentioned the praise from the critics. Audrey Frick (who writes for Jeb Dunnuck) rated this at 96 points and mentions the wine's "bright with notes of wild raspberries, fresh wildflowers, salty earth, hints of anise, and dark stones".
Wine Advocate contributor Eric Brooks rated this at 95 points, and states the wine is "highly concentrated, layered and perfumed with flavors that tick all the boxes".
Lastly, Billy Norris (of Vinous Media) rated this at 94 points, and praises the wine as it "impresses from start to finish".
No matter which way you look at it (or which critic suits your palate more), this is a wine that is as sure to please as it is respectable of your dinner table!
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards is a youthful ruby color and is spicy and bright with notes of wild raspberries, fresh wildflowers, salty earth, hints of anise, and dark stones. The palate is focused, balanced, and even, with a stony texture and fresh acidity, its more savory and smoky incense notes lasting on the finish. Drink 2026-2040."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Land’s Edge Vineyards comes from two of Hartford Court’s estate vineyards in western Sonoma County, Seascape and Far Coast. Matured for nine months in 35% new French oak, it has high-toned aromas of raspberry, strawberry, mixed tea leaves, saline and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate is highly concentrated, layered and perfumed with flavors that tick all the boxes: fruit, herbs, earth and spice. It’s structured by velvety tannins, and its bright, mouthwatering acidity lures you back for another sip. 2,132 cases were made."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards is one of the highlights of this sizable range. Big-boned but more floral and calibrated than the MacLean’s tasted alongside, the Land’s Edge impresses from start to finish as it churns out layers of pressed rose petal, orange zest, red licorice and split pine. The 2023 exudes polish. A brief stay of nine months in barrel yielded a pure, transparent wine that speaks of place."
Hartford Family Winery was founded in 1994 as a result of Don and Jennifer Hartford's appreciation for the wines, the people, and the unique vineyards near their Russian River Valley home. Located in the Sonoma County town of Forestville, the winery is about 15 miles from the cool Pacific Coast.
Don Hartford grew up on a small strawberry farm in western Massachusetts, and later attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After earning a BA. Don Hartford met his wife, Jennifer Jackson-Hartford, at Santa Clara University in Northern California in 1979. (Shortly thereafter, Jennifer's father, Jess, started a modest 16,000 case winery called Kendall-Jackson.) For more than twenty-five years, Don has been immersed in winemaking and winery management. In the process, Don has returned to one of his first loves-the land and farming.
Land's Edge Pinot Noir is sourced from vineyards located at the "Land's Edge" of the Sonoma Coast AVA. The vineyards are driven by a maritime influence producing a small but concentrated crop of Pinot Noir that is harvested in late September through mid-October. The foggy coastal climate preserves natural acidity in the grapes and helps delineate the purity of fruit flavors and expression of the unique coastal terroir in this wine. Balanced acidity, layers of complexity and firm tannins will allow for long and graceful aging of Land's Edge Vineyards Pinot Noir.
Earlier we mentioned the praise from the critics. Audrey Frick (who writes for Jeb Dunnuck) rated this at 96 points and mentions the wine's "bright with notes of wild raspberries, fresh wildflowers, salty earth, hints of anise, and dark stones".
Wine Advocate contributor Eric Brooks rated this at 95 points, and states the wine is "highly concentrated, layered and perfumed with flavors that tick all the boxes".
Lastly, Billy Norris (of Vinous Media) rated this at 94 points, and praises the wine as it "impresses from start to finish".
No matter which way you look at it (or which critic suits your palate more), this is a wine that is as sure to please as it is respectable of your dinner table!
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards is a youthful ruby color and is spicy and bright with notes of wild raspberries, fresh wildflowers, salty earth, hints of anise, and dark stones. The palate is focused, balanced, and even, with a stony texture and fresh acidity, its more savory and smoky incense notes lasting on the finish. Drink 2026-2040."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Land’s Edge Vineyards comes from two of Hartford Court’s estate vineyards in western Sonoma County, Seascape and Far Coast. Matured for nine months in 35% new French oak, it has high-toned aromas of raspberry, strawberry, mixed tea leaves, saline and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate is highly concentrated, layered and perfumed with flavors that tick all the boxes: fruit, herbs, earth and spice. It’s structured by velvety tannins, and its bright, mouthwatering acidity lures you back for another sip. 2,132 cases were made."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards is one of the highlights of this sizable range. Big-boned but more floral and calibrated than the MacLean’s tasted alongside, the Land’s Edge impresses from start to finish as it churns out layers of pressed rose petal, orange zest, red licorice and split pine. The 2023 exudes polish. A brief stay of nine months in barrel yielded a pure, transparent wine that speaks of place."
