An early spring with unseasonable heat marked the beginning of the 2022 growing season. However, by the middle of the vintage, a long and mild summer had set in with the predictable pattern of fog rolling in most evenings and burning off by midmorning in most cases with few “pea soup” days to stall ripening after verasion took place. This set the fruit on a path for long even ripening with full phenolic development. However, right at harvest mother nature threw a couple of curveballs, first in the form of more heatwaves followed closely by early rainstorms, increasing the threat of mildew and botrytis exponentially. However, careful canopy management and sugar monitoring meant the fruit came in clean and mostly unaffected by the late rains or excessive heat.
“Aromas of tropical pineapple, citrus and river rock swirl and collide on the nose of this clean and focused Chardonnay. The palate is lifted, energetic and very bright, giving flavors of Anjou pear, Meyer lemon, spiced apple jam and white flowers before a long and intricate finish winds its way for a blissful minute.”- 95pts, Tom Capo, Wine Enthusiast
An early spring with unseasonable heat marked the beginning of the 2022 growing season. However, by the middle of the vintage, a long and mild summer had set in with the predictable pattern of fog rolling in most evenings and burning off by midmorning in most cases with few “pea soup” days to stall ripening after verasion took place. This set the fruit on a path for long even ripening with full phenolic development. However, right at harvest mother nature threw a couple of curveballs, first in the form of more heatwaves followed closely by early rainstorms, increasing the threat of mildew and botrytis exponentially. However, careful canopy management and sugar monitoring meant the fruit came in clean and mostly unaffected by the late rains or excessive heat.
“The 2022 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast was aged for 14 months in French oak and is a blend from the Senses single vineyards. Pouring a bright yellow/straw color, the wine is zesty and lifted with expressive notes of flinty wet stone, lemon peel, white pepper, and fresh pear. Silky and medium-bodied, it offers a vibrant spine of acidity, with a supple, rounded midpalate and notes of beeswax on the finish. A great entry to the range of white wines that are not just for near-term enjoyment, it will drink well over the coming 8-10 years.”
– 95pts, Jeb Dunnuck
The Heintz family has owned the ranch for over 100 years. Ideal Goldridge soil, healthy, ma-ture vines, warm days balanced with cool nights and a grower who has been working the land since 1982 all contribute to Robert Parker’s assessment of the vineyard as “…one of the great grand cru Chardonnay sites in California.”
“A brilliant yellow with a green-tinged hue, the 2022 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard was raised in 25-40% new French oak. Focused and persistent, it opens in the glass to notes of citrus blossoms, lime, white peach, flint, and crushed stones. Concentrated yet weightless, the pedigree of this site really comes through on the palate, with a glycerol texture yet a weightless feel and mouthwatering saline along the sides of the palate through an elegant and long finish. A characteristic almondine and vanilla note balances it out beautifully. It’s going to take time for this to reveal its full potential, as it’s a bit tightly wound on opening, so I would recommend stashing this away.” – 95+pts, Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JS
An early spring with unseasonable heat marked the beginning of the 2022 growing season. However, by the middle of the vintage, a long and mild summer had set in with the predictable pattern of fog rolling in most evenings and burning off by midmorning in most cases with few “pea soup” days to stall ripening after verasion took place. This set the fruit on a path for long even ripening with full phenolic development. However, right at harvest mother nature threw a couple of curveballs, first in the form of more heatwaves followed closely by early rainstorms, increasing the threat of mildew and botrytis exponentially. However, careful canopy management and sugar monitoring meant the fruit came in clean and mostly unaffected by the late rains or excessive heat.
“Bright fresh berry, flower and savory herb aromas mingle with cola spice on the nose of this electric wine. The palate is densely packed and gives some Nebbiolo energy, with flavors of Bing cherry, roses and tar lingering across a minute-plus finish.” – 94pts, Tom Capo, Wine Enthusiast
An early spring with unseasonable heat marked the beginning of the 2022 growing season. However, by the middle of the vintage, a long and mild summer had set in with the predictable pattern of fog rolling in most evenings and burning off by midmorning in most cases with few “pea soup” days to stall ripening after verasion took place. This set the fruit on a path for long even ripening with full phenolic development. However, right at harvest mother nature threw a couple of curveballs, first in the form of more heatwaves followed closely by early rainstorms, increasing the threat of mildew and botrytis exponentially. However, careful canopy management and sugar monitoring meant the fruit came in clean and mostly unaffected by the late rains or excessive heat.
“A saturated magenta/red color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is spiced and ripe with aromas of black cherries, violets, licorice, and mossy earth. Dark-fruited and medium-bodied, it offers refined sweet tannins and delicate notes of smoked tea leaf through the finish. It’s a gorgeous wine with a lot of value to enjoy over the next 8-10 years.”
– 95pts, Jeb Dunnuck
Appellations represent the best of our single vineyards. The West Sonoma Coast Pinot is our darkest and most structured of the series. Think spice, intense flavors, and gorgeous acidity all in balance with soft tannins. It is a treat to offer this blend.
When it was planted in 1996, Kanzler was one of the first vineyards in the rolling hills southwest of the small picturesque town of Sebastopol in western Sonoma County. Only eight miles from the Pacific Ocean, the area was long thought to be too cool and foggy for grape growing but has consistently produced some of the best Pinot noirs.
“The 2022 Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir sports a medium to deep ruby-purple color and flashy scents of fresh raspberries, Bing cherries, and strawberry and rhubarb pie, leading to hints of underbrush, wet slate, and dried thyme. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shimmers with energetic red berry flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins and a refreshing ling, finishing on a lingering earthy note.”-96pts, Lisa Perotti-Brown MW, TWI
The inaugural release. The Duttons are a sixth generation farming family that the Senses team is proud to have worked with since founding in 2011. The ‘Dutton Ranch’ Pinot noir represents the best barrels from the best vineyards farmed by the Duttons, primarily in the western region of Green Valley.
Silver Eagle is located on Stoetz Lane, just behind Charles Heintz and our estate, Hillcrest. Ulises Valdez planted the site in 2006 primarily to Pinot noir but included a small amount of Chardonnay and Syrah.
“The 2020 UV – Silver Eagle Vineyard Chardonnay sings of honey-drizzled pears, juicy peaches, and fresh musk melon with suggestions of powdered ginger, almond croissant, and lemon pastilles. Full-bodied, the palate is laden with crunchy melon and apricot flavors with loads of spicy sparks and a decadently oily texture, finishing with great length. Silver Eagle vineyard was planted in 2006 by Ulises Valdez, a highly skilled local vineyard manager who passed away a few years ago. Located in Russian River Valley, just behind Charles Heintz Ranch, the Chardonnay here is Montrachet clone.”
– 96pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
Planted in 2008 by then vineyard manager Ulises Valdez, El Diablo vineyard sits on a ridge above Eastside Road in Russian River Valley. Early in their relationship, he told the Senses team that “when you work hard, the fruit always tastes better.” That holds very true for El Diablo.
“The 2022 El Diablo Vineyard Chardonnay tumbles out of the glass with evocative notions of juicy pears, Golden Delicious apples, and allspice plus nuances of honeysuckle and lemon drops. The medium to full-bodied palate has an alluring savoriness complementing the ripe apple and pear flavors, with just enough freshness and a long honey-nut laced finish.”
– 95pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
An early spring with unseasonable heat marked the beginning of the 2022 growing season. However, by the middle of the vintage, a long and mild summer had set in with the predictable pattern of fog rolling in most evenings and burning off by midmorning in mostcases with few “pea soup” days to stall ripening after verasion took place. This set the fruit on a path for long even ripening with full phenolic development. However, right at harvest mother nature threw a couple of curveballs, first in the form of more heatwaves followed closely by early rainstorms, increasing the threat of mildew and botrytis exponentially. However, careful canopy management and sugar monitoring meant the fruit came in clean and mostly unaffected by the late rains or excessive heat.
“The name of the 2022 Chardonnay Tenth Stop refers to the hometown of founders Christopher, Max, and Myles, who grew up in Occidental, the town that served as the tenth stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad from San Francisco. The wine pours a golden/yellow hue and offers a gorgeous nose on opening, exuding woven notes of honeydew melon, chive, wet stone, hazelnut, and grilled lemon. Full-bodied, it saturates the palate with a plush texture, white pepper, and notes of crème brûlée on the finish. Long on the palate, it’s showing well at this stage, but it’s another age-worthy wine from the Senses team to enjoy over the coming 12-15 years.”
– 97pts, Jeb Dunnuck
Cameron and Bridgit Thieriot, Max’s parents, purchased the property in 1988. In 1989 the first part of the vineyard was planted by the late Warren Dutton of Dutton Ranch. Grapes from these blocks have been sold to Landmark, Williams Selyem, Neyers, Littorai and Rivers-Marie. Year after year this vineyard consistently produces high scoring single vineyard wines and is known to be one of the premiere vineyards in the Sonoma Coast.
“The wine is broad with aromas of jasmine, lime zest, flinty reduction, and quince. Medium to full-bodied, it has fantastic energy, with a silky, linear feel, refreshing acidity, and a mouthwatering and balanced, mineral-toned finish. A phenomenal white with a Burgundian-aesthetic, it’s going to offer a wide drinking window over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040.”
– 98pts, Jeb Dunnuck
Charles and Diana Karren are incredibly passionate about growing grapes. Known as “The Land of Promise”, Terra de Promissio has an ideal terroir for pinot noir. The soil, southwest sun exposure, hill elevation, vine density and the wind and fog of the Petaluma Gap allow the grapes to have a slow maturation & extended hang time, which allows optimum ripeness ideal conditions for the pinot noir grape. This site is shared with Williams Selyem, Kistler, Kosta Browne, Hanzell, and others.
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Terra de Promissio comes from the Petaluma Gap region (although it’s released as a Sonoma Coast) and as with all of the Pinot Noirs, it was destemmed and brought up in French oak. Lots of smoky red and black fruits, roasted herbs, conifer forest, and exotic spice notes define the nose on this beauty, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rich, structured mouthfeel and just beautiful overall balance. It’s certainly one of the more structured, firm wines in the lineup, but it’s loaded with potential. Give bottles 2-3 years if you can (it’s far from inaccessible today) and it’s going to evolve for over a decade.” – 95pts, Jeb Dunnuck
From the famed vineyard formerly known as Keefer Ranch, we bring you the ‘MCM88’ Pinot noir; an exuberant Russian River single vineyard Pinot noir from the block originally farmed by Kosta Browne. Our boldest Pinot noir yet comes from a very special block in a very special vineyard now known as Perry Ranch. This addition to the Senses family stands apart from its’ siblings with greater concentration and richness. We are very excited about this wine and have named it accordingly: MCM stands for Max, Christopher and Myles and doubles for the roman numerals of 1900, which when added to ‘88 marks our birth year of 1988.
Wine“Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, the 2022 ‘MCM88’ Pinot noir rolls out of the glass with expressive notes of chocolate covered cherries, wild blueberries, and camphor, plus fragrant underlying hints of lilacs, cloves, and cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers concentrated black and blue fruit layers with loads of floral accents and a velvety texture, finishing long and fragrant.” – 95pts, Lisa Perotti-Brown MW
Max and Lexi Thieriot searched all across Sonoma County for their ideal “forever property”. Fate would bring them back to west county and only minutes from where Max grew up, when this ranch came on the market. Purchasing the property in 2013, from a family who had owned it for over 100 years, they had found their perfect home. The ranch features ninety acres of rolling hills, ocean views, oaks and redwoods, and an ideal coastal vineyard site sharing a fence line with Steve Kistler’s Occidental Winery. In 2016, Max and Lexi, with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown began planting their home ranch and the second generation of Thieriot Vineyards was officially born: Bodega Thieriot.
“The medium to deep ruby-purple colored 2022 Bodega Thieriot Vineyard Pinot Noir comes bounding out with exuberant notes of black cherries, fresh boysenberries, and pomegranate, plus hints of wild thyme, lavender oil, exotic spices, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers concentrated, impactful black berry flavors with black tea and anise nuances, framed by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy.” – 96pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
The Hillcrest Vineyard: where Senses started from day one. We decided that moving forward this wine deserved a special designation. After much thought (and wine) it was clear. “Day One” was the perfect fit. Hillcrest is where the three of us rolled up our sleeves, hand farmed and harvested the entire vineyard and created our very first vintage of Senses Pinot Noir.
“Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, the 2022 Day One Pinot Noir springs with vivacious red currant jelly, pomegranate, and cranberry sauce notes, opening out to notes of lavender oil, bay leaves, mossy tree bark, and cracked black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is filled with red berry preserves flavors with savory accents, supported by satiny tannins and soft acidity, finishing on a floral note.” – 95pts, Lisa Perotti-Brown MW | 97 WE
The Oakville sourced Napa Cabernet is the yin to our yang, a tribute to founder Max’s passion for Cabernet and a result of our winemaker Thomas’ midas touch. The site, in close proximity to legendary estates and locally referred to as the ‘heart and soul’ of Napa, is on the eastern side of the valley and is all hillside fruit. Thomas had special access to this location and knew it was just the right fit for Senses.
Inky purple in the glass, it opens with ripe black currant, wild blackberry, and blue fruit, laced with chocolate, spice, and notes of tobacco and cedar. Full-bodied and mouth-coating, it delivers a rich, structured palate with firm tannins, vibrant freshness, and a long, powerful finish. Bold but balanced, this is a standout wine from an exceptional year.
