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.
Hailing from just under two miles from the Pacific Ocean, Raen's Home Field bottling is their most westerly site and also their most elegant. Each year this bottling presents a deep ruby red center that works its way to a brilliantly bridge edge in the glass. Initial notes of white tea, smashed raspberry, orange pith and wet gravel fill the bowl. Sun warmed damp earth, coastal moss-covered pine tree give way to rose petals and delicate spice that speak of this coast site, lingering on your palate.
JEB DUNNUCK 98 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."
"Pouring a bright ruby color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sea Field, comes from way out close to the coast just beyond Hirsch. It’s the most elegant of the reds, leading with notes of pomegranate, roses, dried earth, and spiced orange. The palate offers a medium-bodied frame, and it has fine-grained tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a long, graceful finish. It’s only going to improve with time, but it sure is delightful now. Drink 2025-2045."
WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "This is tightly coiled, with bitter cherry and damson plum fruit that is pure and unadorned, while savory, flint and sanguine flecks dart through. The long finish shows a tensile structure that lends a sense of precision and mouthwatering cut. Have patience with cellaring."
ANTONIO GALLONI 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Sea Field is a powerful, intensely mineral wine. Iron, gravel, red-toned fruit and rose petal are all finely sculpted. Salivating acids and a spine of searing tannins give the Sea Field its shape and insistent, driving personality. Bright saline notes extend the nuanced, bracing finish. This nervy Pinot needs time in bottle to be at its most expressive."
Hailing from just under two miles from the Pacific Ocean, Raen's Home Field bottling is their most westerly site and also their most elegant. Each year this bottling presents a deep ruby red center that works its way to a brilliantly bridge edge in the glass. Initial notes of white tea, smashed raspberry, orange pith and wet gravel fill the bowl. Sun warmed damp earth, coastal moss-covered pine tree give way to rose petals and delicate spice that speak of this coast site, lingering on your palate.
JEB DUNNUCK 98 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."
"Pouring a bright ruby color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sea Field, comes from way out close to the coast just beyond Hirsch. It’s the most elegant of the reds, leading with notes of pomegranate, roses, dried earth, and spiced orange. The palate offers a medium-bodied frame, and it has fine-grained tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a long, graceful finish. It’s only going to improve with time, but it sure is delightful now. Drink 2025-2045."
WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "This is tightly coiled, with bitter cherry and damson plum fruit that is pure and unadorned, while savory, flint and sanguine flecks dart through. The long finish shows a tensile structure that lends a sense of precision and mouthwatering cut. Have patience with cellaring."
ANTONIO GALLONI 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Sea Field is a powerful, intensely mineral wine. Iron, gravel, red-toned fruit and rose petal are all finely sculpted. Salivating acids and a spine of searing tannins give the Sea Field its shape and insistent, driving personality. Bright saline notes extend the nuanced, bracing finish. This nervy Pinot needs time in bottle to be at its most expressive."
