The 2021 Cattleya Cuvee Number Eight Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a notable representation of the Pinot Noir varietal from the Sonoma Coast region of California. This red wine, produced by Cattleya, features a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 14.1%.
James Suckling, writing for jamessuckling.com on February 6, 2023, awarded this wine a score of 92. He describes it as having a "perfumed and unique nose of mulberries, orange slices, sweet spices, burdock root, and lotus seeds." Suckling notes that it is "medium-bodied with sleek tannins and a soft, supple texture" and concludes that it is "plump and moreish," suggesting it is ready to drink now.
Wine Enthusiast's Jim Gordon offered high praise in a review published on July 1, 2023, giving it a score of 94. Gordon highlights the "wonderful violet and rose petal aromas" and the "juicy black cherry and black currant flavors" of this medium- to full-bodied wine. He points out its "lightly tannic" nature and a "concentrated fruit core" that continues to deliver "delicious berries through the sip and the lingering finish." Gordon recommends drinking this wine from 2025 to 2032.
Wine Spectator also reviewed this wine, giving it a score of 91. The review notes its "lush, hard-to-resist core of plum and boysenberry preserves" that are "laced with anise and sweet spices on the broad finish." The wine is described as "for fans of the not-shy style," and it's suggested to drink this wine now through 2026. A limited production of 475 cases is also mentioned.
Jeb Dunnuck's Audrey Frick provided an excellent review on July 21, 2023, scoring it 95. Frick describes the wine as "a semi-opaque, deep ruby with a purple hint," taking on a "darker profile" with aromas of "wet stone, blackberry, pepper, and grilled rosemary." The wine is full-bodied with "ripe tannins, iron-rich earth, and kirsch" and has a "fresh lift on the finish." Frick advises that this wine will be best enjoyed between 2025 and 2035.
In summary, the 2021 Cattleya Cuvee Number Eight Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has received favorable reviews for its aromatic complexity, fruit concentration, and balanced structure. Reviewers are particularly enthusiastic about its potential for aging, with recommended drinking windows extending several years into the future.