Dragonette Cellars
Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills, Central Coast, California, USA
Dragonette, always and forever a best. They make slightly lighter Pinots but this one has some oomph. This is the wine of a Pinot grape that clawed it’s way to the top. Both structure and flavor-wise it’s a heavy hitter...for a Pinot. All of which to say dried cherries in vanilla essence and you went to a party and found out there would be a “conversation” about something serious as you dipped into the wine. It is not serious and also serious. Dragonette always has my heart.
Dragonette, always and forever a best. They make slightly lighter Pinots but this one has some oomph. This is the wine of a Pinot grape that clawed it’s way to the top. Both structure and flavor-wise it’s a heavy hitter...for a Pinot. All of which to say dried cherries in vanilla essence and you went to a party and found out there would be a “conversation” about something serious as you dipped into the wine. It is not serious and also serious. Dragonette always has my heart.
Jan 25th, 2020
The 2016 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard is dense, plush and beautifully textured, as wines from this site tend to be. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, spice, dried flowers and menthol infuse this potent, broad Pinot with real character. The 2017 is another winner from Dragonette. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2019)
The 2016 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard is dense, plush and beautifully textured, as wines from this site tend to be. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, spice, dried flowers and menthol infuse this potent, broad Pinot with real character. The 2017 is another winner from Dragonette. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2019)
Sep 26th, 2019Dragonette is bae and don’t you forget it. It jumps into your mouth like a clutzy ballerina. You feel the elegance but this ballerina has some muscle. Some...pepper. Some spice. This ballerina would kick your ass with more training but in this iteration she’s still an elegant fluid being flowing into your mouth and tempting to beat you up but not quite. I love this dancer. Simply? A red cherry and black plum compote with a bunch of green herbs and black pepper and maybe the teensiest pinch of cinnamon and anise tossed together and puréed to their purest form. Elegance and brute force. Damn I love Dragonette.
Dragonette is bae and don’t you forget it. It jumps into your mouth like a clutzy ballerina. You feel the elegance but this ballerina has some muscle. Some...pepper. Some spice. This ballerina would kick your ass with more training but in this iteration she’s still an elegant fluid being flowing into your mouth and tempting to beat you up but not quite. I love this dancer. Simply? A red cherry and black plum compote with a bunch of green herbs and black pepper and maybe the teensiest pinch of cinnamon and anise tossed together and puréed to their purest form. Elegance and brute force. Damn I love Dragonette.
Apr 20th, 2018
Perhaps the most delicate of Dragonette's Pinot offerings. Beautiful crushed stone minerality and silky/savory red fruit. Amazing by itself or with basted pork chops at Big Sur State Park.
Perhaps the most delicate of Dragonette's Pinot offerings. Beautiful crushed stone minerality and silky/savory red fruit. Amazing by itself or with basted pork chops at Big Sur State Park.
1 person found it helpfulMay 23rd, 2016I wish I periscoped the tasting of this Radian. The English blokes I'm with FREAKED OUT!! "Wine for the Pope!", it was proclaimed. This site, with its Burgundian notes, and Brandon's stellar winemaking, makes this an exceptional offering. Clean, with curves, and long finish. Beautiful.
I wish I periscoped the tasting of this Radian. The English blokes I'm with FREAKED OUT!! "Wine for the Pope!", it was proclaimed. This site, with its Burgundian notes, and Brandon's stellar winemaking, makes this an exceptional offering. Clean, with curves, and long finish. Beautiful.
1 person found it helpfulMar 11th, 2016
Why did I open this?! Aarrggh! Way. Too. Young. Three hours in and still tight. What a generous beauty this will be in four or five years. Dang it!
Why did I open this?! Aarrggh! Way. Too. Young. Three hours in and still tight. What a generous beauty this will be in four or five years. Dang it!
1 person found it helpfulJan 14th, 2016
A great vineyard and expression of #pinotnoir.
A great vineyard and expression of #pinotnoir.
1 person found it helpfulJul 2nd, 2015
My first time trying this producer and I really enjoyed. Raspberries and earth and a little spice. Really wonderful wine that is drinking nicely now. I’m betting it will be even better tomorrow.
My first time trying this producer and I really enjoyed. Raspberries and earth and a little spice. Really wonderful wine that is drinking nicely now. I’m betting it will be even better tomorrow.
Jul 11th, 2022