2022 RAEN Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Pinot Noir

98 points and less than sixty-five bucks. If you believe in Pinot that thrills you with elegance, tension and site-specific character, then the 2022 “Royal St. Robert” from the team at RAEN is a must-have. This is not your typical California big, fruity Pinot — instead it’s cool-climate, coastal ridge fruit, whole-cluster press & native yeast fermentation, and a voice that speaks of place above all. The “Royal St. Robert” label is a tribute: the Mondavi family lineage is part of the story here (brothers Carlo & Dante Mondavi), and this cuvée represents their ambition to craft “Grand Cru” style Pinot on the rugged, fog-cooled ridges of the Sonoma Coast. The 2022 vintage did not disappoint. According to multiple reviews, this wine delivers “wild berry fruits … brambly blackberry, dark cherry and spice with savory dried herbs, undergrowth, freshly turned soil” and is described as “striking… vibrant and savory” with “bright red-toned fruit, orange peel, cinnamon, star anise and cedar” lifting from the glass. In the glass you’ll notice a luminous ruby hue, but it’s the aromatic complexity that catches you first: rose petals, black tea, sandalwood, mahogany, and notes of iron or rust beneath the fruit. On the palate it’s medium-bodied yet structured; vibrant acidity meets fine dusty tannins, fruit that ranges from wild strawberry and bramble to damson plum and blood orange, and a layered finish of spice, forest floor, and mineral tension. One reviewer nailed it: “lovely, perfumed notes of framboise, mossy earth, tea leaf and roses… a medium-bodied red that’s pure and elegant all the way through.” Why should this be in your cellar? Because it stands apart from many Californian Pinots — here’s fruit with freshness and restraint, here’s site identity, here’s aging potential. With only about 1,900 cases produced, the scarcity adds serious appeal. Drink-now enthusiasts will find joy in the immediate aromatic charm; cellaring will reward you with deeper spice, forest-floor nuance and whole-cluster lift in 5-10 years. In a world chasing extraction and high alcohol, this is California Pinot with backbone, elegance and clarity. Whether you’re building a serious red-wine lineup or seeking something that sparks conversation at dinner, this 2022 “Royal St. Robert” belongs in your rotation.