Raen is a new project put out by Carlo and Dante Mondavi, grandsons of the famed Robert Mondavi. Carlo and Dante are fourth generation vintners born and raised in Napa Valley who "cut their teeth" working under Tim Mondavi at the Robert Mondavi Winery as well as Opus One. The two brothers credit their dad Tim for the passion they share for Pinot Noir, as Tim is a big Burgundy fan and was a pioneer for California Pinot Noir through the '70s. Raen's Sonoma Coast bottling has been named Royal St. Robert Cuvee, in the honor of Carlo and Dante Mondavi's grandfather (Robert Mondavi) who taught them to be committed to excellence.
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "Carlo and Dante Mondavi founded RAEN in the West Sonoma Coast AVA with the goal of finding California Grand Cru-equivalent sites in the Freestone-Occidental area. Melanie McIntyre is leading the way as winemaker of this Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-focused estate, located two miles from the ocean. In the vineyard, they practice no-till farming and work beyond the requirements of organics, working toward eliminating the use of all chemicals in the vineyards."
"The ruby-hued 2023 Royal St. Robert is a selection from their coastal vineyards and is named to honor their grandfather. It opens to notes of wild raspberries, brushy windswept herbs, rose petals, dark stones, and elegant spices. Medium-bodied, it has a good deal of depth on the palate. Drink over the coming 15 years. It has 100% whole clusters in this vintage, and it has a bit of that stemmy spice, but it’s very well managed."
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "This is stylish, with a gently singed sandalwood frame around a core of light damson plum and bitter cherry fruit mixed with rose hip, savory and cherry pit hints. The finish is taut, with a lightly stemmy nuance to it, giving this lingering tension. Best from 2026 through 2031. 2,250 cases made."
ANTONIO GALLONI 93 POINTS - "This is stylish, with a gently singed sandalwood frame around a core of light damson plum and bitter cherry fruit mixed with rose hip, savory and cherry pit hints. The finish is taut, with a lightly stemmy nuance to it, giving this lingering tension. Best from 2026 through 2031. 2,250 cases made."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "Carlo and Dante Mondavi founded RAEN in the West Sonoma Coast AVA with the goal of finding California Grand Cru-equivalent sites in the Freestone-Occidental area. Melanie McIntyre is leading the way as winemaker of this Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-focused estate, located two miles from the ocean. In the vineyard, they practice no-till farming and work beyond the requirements of organics, working toward eliminating the use of all chemicals in the vineyards."
"The ruby-hued 2023 Royal St. Robert is a selection from their coastal vineyards and is named to honor their grandfather. It opens to notes of wild raspberries, brushy windswept herbs, rose petals, dark stones, and elegant spices. Medium-bodied, it has a good deal of depth on the palate. Drink over the coming 15 years. It has 100% whole clusters in this vintage, and it has a bit of that stemmy spice, but it’s very well managed."
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "This is stylish, with a gently singed sandalwood frame around a core of light damson plum and bitter cherry fruit mixed with rose hip, savory and cherry pit hints. The finish is taut, with a lightly stemmy nuance to it, giving this lingering tension. Best from 2026 through 2031. 2,250 cases made."
ANTONIO GALLONI 93 POINTS - "This is stylish, with a gently singed sandalwood frame around a core of light damson plum and bitter cherry fruit mixed with rose hip, savory and cherry pit hints. The finish is taut, with a lightly stemmy nuance to it, giving this lingering tension. Best from 2026 through 2031. 2,250 cases made."
