Martinelli "Bondi Home Ranch Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2021
(Russian River Valley, California) - [JD 96] [WS 95, #19 Top 100 Of 2023] [WA 94] [VM 93]

Notes from the Winemaker:

The Bondi Home Ranch sits at the southernmost tip of the Russian River Valley in the Green Valley AVA in Sebastopol. Lee Martinelli Sr. inherited this ranch from his uncle when it was still an apple orchard, and has since converted the 20 acres to Pinot Noir grapes. The vineyard is planted with eastern exposure, which promotes even ripening with all day sun. The cool breeze from the sea rises in the late afternoon, skimming along the distant bank of fog, relieving the vines from the afternoon heat and enhancing slower ripening. The clones are 115, 777, 667, 828, 943 and Calera. Bondi Home Ranch has the longest growing season of all of our vineyards; it is the first to bloom and the last to be picked.

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
From the coolest area of the Russian River sites at the estate, the 2021 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch is lifted with candied roses, pine, and pure red cherry. It is full-bodied, with a good spine of acidity, ripe well-balanced tannins, a focused feel, and a long finish with ripe red plum and spices. (7/2023)

95 Points, #19 Top 100 of 2023 - Wine Spectator:
"Loaded, with gorgeous succulent, lush boysenberry, mulberry and açaí berry fruit seamlessly inlaid with singed apple wood, anise and fruitcake details. Gains additional beguilement from a late flash of potpourri and black tea. Drink now through 2032. 863 squares made." —JM

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
The 2021 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch has deep scents of red cherry, mushroom and forest floor—it's still youthfully dense. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and seamless and boasts expansive, spicy fruit, generous earthy accents and a layered, lifted finish. It needs 2 to 3+ years in bottle to unwind. 868 cases were made. (EB) (9/2023)

93 Points - Vinous:
The 2021 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Vineyard is one of the riper wines in the range. Sweet dark cherry, spice, leather, vanillin and sweet spice are front and center. The 2021 offers plenty of raciness, if not quite the textural richness that has been the norm here for years. This site in Green Valley is marked by an exceptionally long growing season. (AG) (6/2023)