2023 RAEN - Pinot Noir Sonoma Freestone Occidental Bodega Vineyard (750ml)

Brothers Carlo and Dante Mondavi, fourth-generation members of the storied Mondavi wine family, founded RAEN in 2013 after honing their craft at Continuum alongside their father, Tim, and grandfather, Robert. The name stands for Research in Agriculture and Enology, reflecting the meticulous, farming-first approach the brothers apply to a small portfolio of single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the remote far reaches of the Sonoma Coast. Their goal from the outset has been to craft wines of finesse and precision from what they consider California's answer to grand cru terroir.

Bodega Vineyard is a steep, 1.8-acre hillside monopole facing Bodega Bay between the coastal villages of Freestone and Occidental, where Pacific fog rolls in each morning. It holds the distinction of being the oldest meter-by-meter Pinot Noir planting on the Sonoma Coast, and its high vine density combined with a punishing slope means the entire site must be farmed by hand. This combination of age, density, and coastal exposure gives the fruit an intensity and complexity that RAEN considers its most exotic terroir.

The 2023 vintage is darker and more potent than RAEN's other bottlings, opening with mossy earth, dark berries, and brambly resinous herbs alongside graphite and wildflowers. The palate carries wild blackberry and bramble intertwined with warm spice, orange pith, and crushed gravel, finishing long and layered. Its earthy depth pairs well with roasted duck, venison, or a rustic mushroom tart.