Source: Wine Enthusiast • December 2021
2020 Flying Cloud Sauvignon Blanc, Edna Valley*
Accessible aromas of tart green apple are cut by grass, wet cement and struck sandstone on the nose of this bottling. There's a tight weave to the sip, which clings to a pithy texture while offering riper red-pear and yellow-apple flavors, finishing on a flash a white pepper.
- Matt Kettmann
Source: Wine & Spirit • November 2021
2018 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley
Well-structured, with accents of soy to the dried red berry and cherry flavors, followed by hints of green olive on the vibrantly crisp finish, with creamy notes. Drink now through 2024. 644 cases made. -KM
Source: Wine & Spirit • October 2021
2019 Chardonnay, Edna Valley
Focus: Year's Best Chardonnay
Retail $25. 100% Pinot Noir. Under screw cap. I would consider Paula and Stephen (Steve) Ross Dooley friends, so I was happy when they decided to send a couple of bottles of their Rosé of Pinot Noir for the tasting. I was even happier to find out that I and the rest of the panel really liked it, despite the fact that it was randomly selected as the first wine of 68 that we tasted. Pale pink with a lovely nose on cotton candy and strawberry/peach. The palate is absolutely singing with great fruit, lovely acidity and a fantastic finish. A really great start to the tasting. Outstanding 93 Points.
Source: The Drunken Cyclist • April 2021
2017 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard —Estate
The Dooleys entered into a lease agreement for the Stone Corral Vineyard back in 2001 and this 2017 marks the 15th vintage of this wine. I have four words for this wine: Give. It. Some. Time. While it will certainly benefit from some additional cellar time (at least three years), if you are as impatient as I am (OK, as my wife), please decant this lovely wine for a good couple of hours. Upon opening, it is certainly delightful, with bright fruit, tense acidity, and considerable earthiness. But. After a couple of hours open, this transformed from a “lovely Pinot” into a luscious rock-star in the waiting. Holy Cow. Initially, when compared to the Edna Valley ($38) from Stephen Ross, I was more impressed with the less-expensive wine (although only slightly). Now? Eight hours later. Whoa. Rich fruit, racy acidity, earthy tones, all in perfect concert. Yeah. I can hang out here indefinitely. Bravo Steve and Paula, bravo.
- Jeff Kralik.
Source: The Drunken Cyclist • April 2021
2017 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley —Estate
All of the fruit from this wine comes from the Stone Corral Estate Vineyard, but it is blended after the barrel selections for the two barrel, Black Label Arête and the five barrel Stone Corral Vineyard. For only $38? While, yes, that is likely beyond “Tuesday night” status for most of us, it is certainly a bargain for this quality of Pinot. Really light color in the glass with Bing cherry, Bay leaf (is that capitalized?), subtle eucalyptus, and a dash of black pepper. Yowza. The fruit takes the stage first on the palate, but it is quickly followed by the acidity, which ends up stealing the show. A bright, tart, fruity extravaganza of a wine. Whoa.
- Jeff Kralik.
Source: Wine & Spirit • April 2021
2018 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard
Year's Best US Pinot Noirs
Source: Wine & Spirit • April 2021
2018 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley
Year's Best US Pinot Noirs
Source: Wine Enthusiast • May 2021
2018 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard —Estate
Dark-cherry and black-raspberry aromas meet with loads of crushed slate and dried loam as well as hibiscus and rosewater on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The palate is also very rocky and mineral-driven, while showing darker plum and purple-flower flavors.
- Matt Kettmann
Source: Wine Enthusiast • May 2021
2018 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley —Estate
Deep, dark and sharp aromas of black raspberry and crumpled lavender are coated in a slate-like minerality on the nose of this appellation blend. The purple -lower focus is pure and intense on the palate, where a bright acidity opens toward cinnamon and vanilla on the finish.
- Matt Kettmann