Atelier Ilaria, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California, 2022

Overview of the Wine
Winemaking is a family affair in the Monticelli home. Anna's husband, Mario, was born into a family whose roots as winemakers span four generations. His father emigrated from Italy to California where he worked for over 50 years making wine for Gallo. He introduced Mario to the family business when Mario was still a child, instilling in him a passion for cultivating grapes and making wine that defines his life today.

Anna's winemaking journey began at the University of California Davis, where she earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology. She spent her fourth year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. After completing her degree in California, she returned to France to work the 2000 vintage at Château Cheval-Blanc. She was very fortunate to work for their technical director, Kees Van Leeuwen, one of the foremost viticultural professors in Bordeaux.

Mario and Anna also make the Stack House and Tether wines in Napa Valley. They have Italian and French winemaking projects in the regions of Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Friuli, Champagne and the Rhone Valley. They travel to Italy and France with their three children to work on their wines there.

Winemakers
Anna & Mario Monticelli

Grape / Blend
100% Pinot Noir

Origin
Sonoma Coast, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2022 Atelier Ilaria Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir gracefully wafts out of the glass with notes of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry and blood orange. Hints of wildflowers and crushed rock frame the fruit profile. The palate features balance, integrated acidity and ultra-fine tannins while the finish showcases purity and finesse.

91 Points - The Wine Palate
Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir sashays out with gregarious notions of red cherries, juicy raspberries, and roses, giving way to hints of black pepper and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is silken textured with a lively backbone framing the bright red berry flavors, finishing on a floral note.

Product size: 750ml