Description

Recently I was privy to have a tasting appointment with the marketing representative for the new 2024 releases from RAEN Winery, owned and operated by Carlo and Dante Mondavi. You may recall the 2023 RAEN Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Royal St. Robert, which is a tribute to their grandfather Robert Mondavi, was James Suckling’s highest rated #1 USA Wine of the Year for 2025 (99 points). Sold out instantly last Fall.

Yes, I sampled a wide range of RAEN Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with prices again ranging from $80 to $160 a bottle. AGAIN, the 2024 RAEN Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Royal St. Robert was my hands down favorite for its overall value, and tremendous range of complexity and nuance.

HIGHLY ALLOCATED!   The stunning 2024 is priced the same as the 2023 at $78.95 a bottle.

Too early for any ratings yet, but here are some details and tasting notes for you to consider:

All the farming is organic and regenerative from 15 acres of coastal vineyard sites in Fort Ross-Seaview and Freestone-Occidental.  The clonal selections are Calera, Swan, 667, 115, and 777.  The native yeast fermentation is 100% whole cluster.  The wine spends 10 months in  Francois Freres French oak barrels (10% new).  Alcohol is 13%.

The aromatics alone are worth the price of admission!  Very floral spicy rose petals, strawberry-raspberry fruit, alpine scented freshness and coastal garrigue.  On the palate the bright fruit is more centered on ripe cherries with underlying essences of umami-mushroom, forest floor and blood orange zest.  The elegant, spicy finish is long and tapered.