Press
International Wine Report Releases TOP 100 Wines of 2017
December 2017
LaRue Pinot Noir, Thorn Ridge Vineyard 2014, #54, 96 points
“The Thorn Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir from LaRue is a complete standout and one of the most impressive wines from the vintage…”
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International Wine Report Reviews the 2014 Pinot Noirs
LaRue Pinot Noir, Emmaline Ann Vineyard 2014- “This possesses a soft and supple texture on the palate along with expressive fresh red fruits and a lovely touch of acidity keeping this fresh and inviting through the finish.”
Score: 94
LaRue Pinot Noir, Rice-Spivak Vineyard 2014- “The wine itself offers vibrant aromas of wild cherries, dark forest floor, exotic spices and spring flowers which all come together beautifully in the glass.”
Score: 95
LaRue Pinot Noir, Thorn Ridge Vineyard 2014-“After a few hours of air it begins to blossom with exotic spices, smoke, fresh roasted coffee and minerals. The refined and elegant texture and shows great overall balance and focus through the long, pretty finish. Overall this is a simply dazzling wine.”
Score: 96
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Prince of Pinot Reviews 2014 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs
May 2017
LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014, 94 points
“The whole cluster character infuses the mid weight core of cherry, raspberry and blueberry fruit flavors. The polished mouthfeel appeals, and the citrus imbued finish is up lifting.” Score: 94
LaRue Emmaline Ann Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014, 95 points
“Impressive fortitude on the palate with mid weight flavors of an array of well-ripened cherries and berries. The wine sports gentle tannins and an extremely long finish. Very soothing, offering power in a velvet glove character.” Score: 95
LaRue Thorn Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014, 94 points
“Very engaging on the mid palate and finish, with a silk and satin mouthfeel, a deft touch of oak, and up lifting acidity on the WOW finish.” Score: 94
Prince of Pinot Reviews 2015 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay
April 2017
LaRue Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay 2015, 95 points
“The wine really perks up the senses with flavors of lemon, peach, pear and subtle vanilla… I can just taste the Wente clone in this classy wine that embraces with perfect harmony.” Score: 95
Wine & Spirits Year’s Best US Pinot Noir
April 2017 Issue
LaRue Emmaline Ann Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014, 91 points
“This comes from a small vineyard planted on a forested hillside near Sebastopol, and it feels like a coastal wine, with a green edge to its high- toned red fruit that suggests sumac and rhubarb. Maybe because the fruit is so high toned, the oak feels a bit prominent at first, gripping and cedar scented, but the vineyard’s refreshing herb and flower aromas win out in the end.” Reviewed by Luke Sykora.
International Wine Report Releases TOP 100 Wines of 2016
December 2016
LaRue Pinot Noir, Rice-Spivak Vineyard 2013, #28, 95 points
“This 2013 Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir from LaRue is simply fantastic. This opens with flat out gorgeous notes of fresh raspberries, wild strawberries, ripe plum, dark soil, exotic spice, mint and fresh spring flowers all come together to form the complex aromatics. On the palate this offers wonderful pure fruit combined with layers of fresh red berries, wild cherry and earth characteristics. This is a simply remarkable Pinot Noir and will continue to flourish over the next 10-15 years.”
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International Wine Report Reviews the 2013 Pinot Noirs
LaRue Pinot Noir, Rice Spivak Vineyard 2013-This opens with flat out gorgeous notes of fresh raspberries, wild strawberries, ripe plum, dark soil, exotic spice, mint and fresh spring flowers all come together to form the complex aromatics.
Score: 95
LaRue Pinot Noir, Emmaline Ann Vineyard 2013-As this gorgeous wine begins to open it releases a beautiful aromatic nose of red berries, smoke, exotic spice, followed by fresh mineral, herb, and dried floral notes. It has remarkable texture with intense berry, earth and fresh mineral flavors through the palate and into the long finish.
Score: 95
LaRue Pinot Noir, Coastlands Vineyard 2013-This absolutely brilliant Pinot Noir comes from the Coastlands Vineyard, situated at 900-1,200 feet… On the palate this is very elegant and polished, coupled with a firm backbone and notable depth as it heads into the long finish. This will continue to evolve and gain complexity over the next decade.
Score: 95
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wine Enthusiast writes, “Way out on the Sonoma Coast”
June 2016
LaRue Wines, named for her great-grandmother who lived to be 97 years old. Open by appointment, it’s a chance to taste her interpretations of key vineyard sites, including a Coastlands Vineyard Pinot Noir and a Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay, which has been owned and farmed by the Heintz family since 1912.
Prince of Pinot Reviews 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs
June 2016
2013 LaRue Rice Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir
“Intoxicating aromas of sweet cherries, exotic spices and rose petal…Melded tannins, vivacious acidity and long on the finish. Score: 93″
2013 LaRue Coastlands Vineyard Pinot Noir
” Flat-out delicious, with a silky demeanor, tight acidity, cashmere tannins and welcome finishing interest. There is plenty to ponder in this elegantly styled wine that will especially appeal to whole cluster fans. Score: 93″
Hole & Corner Magazine feature “Follow the Vine” on independent CA winemakers
May 2016
Issue 08, The Senses Issue, Spring 2016
“Each one of Wilson’s wines is made differently…Her aim is to let each wine speak for itself, making sure it carries the hallmarks of her style and approach as a winemaker, but allowing the character and nature of each vintage to show itself.”
Something about Sonoma ask’s Katy wilson-“whats the winemaker’s beer?”
February 17, 2016
“There’s an old saying about wine: It takes a lot of good beer to make a great wine. Nowhere is this more true than in Sonoma County, where some of the world’s best wines are produced by winemakers drinking some of the world’s best beers. SomethingAboutSonoma sat down with two of the area’s up-and-coming young winemakers to talk about their beer preferences and some of the differences and similarities in the wine and beer making process.”
Antonio Galloni Reviews the 2013 Pinot Noirs
February 11, 2016
“Katy Wilson’s 2013 Pinots are some of her best wines yet. Over the years, Wilson’s Pinots seem to have become more precise, nuanced and articulated, all qualities that come through loud and clear with these current releases. As always, Wilson’s light touch translates into wines of grace and restraint.”
California Wine Fan reviews the four newcomers to PinotFest 2015
February 9, 2016
“LaRue Wines is an homage to winemaker/owner Katy Wilson’s great-grandmother, Veona LaRue Newell. For reasons that remain unknown, Ms. Newell’s mother chose her unusual middle name. Katy remains impressed by her wit, wisdom, and toughness. Katy also makes some pretty good wines…”
Vivino investigates, How to Spit Wine like a Pro
January 23, 2016
KATY WILSON, winemaker, arched-stream-spitter of LaRue Wines
“SPIT TECHNIQUE: I go for an arched stream. I have long hair and I am often wearing a scarf when I taste at the winery, so I have to make sure that I don’t get wine on myself! I also try not to splash my shoes.”
LOAM Baby, An interview with Katy Wilson: “Harvest and Harvest”
December 2015
“In 2009, at 26 years old, Katy Wilson fearlessly launched her brand, LaRue Wines. In just six short years, Wilson’s wines have gained a legitimate foothold among a growing number of America’s sommeliers, wine critics and Pinot Noir enthusiasts. I checked in with Wilson, now 32, to see how life in the wine business is going for this talented millennial.”
International Wine Report Releases TOP 100 Wines of 2015
December 2015
LARUE Pinot Noir, Coastlands Vineyard 2012, #48, 95 points
“The Coastlands Vineyard Pinot Noir from LaRue is absolutely brilliant in 2012. As this slowly unwinds in the glass gorgeous aromas of black raspberries, wild berries, spices, blood orange, dried floral and even hints of dried sage all begin to take shape in the glass. On the palate this offers a wonderful silky texture, which is beautifully structured with excellent clarity and focus. This continues to deliver all the way though the vibrant finish.”
Prince of Pinot Releases 2015 California Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans
December 27, 2015 – Volume 10, Issue 23
2012 LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
“This is a special wine of charm and character, offering juicy cherry fruit that dances across the palate. Accents of spice and flower bouquet add interest. The experience is bright and energetic with great harmony and elegance. The wine offers a refreshing cut of acidity on the long finish that seduces with spiced cherry and red berry fruits. Very difficult to refrain from drinking the whole bottle. Score: 97.”
VINOGRAPHY REPORTS ON HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2015 IPOB SF TASTING
April 2015
Acid Freaks Unite: Highlights From the 2015 IPOB Tasting
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
“2012 LaRue Wines “Coastlands Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California
Light to medium garnet in the glass, this wine smells of floral raspberry and black raspberry fruit. On the palate, mouthwateringly juicy flavors of raspberry and citrus have an almost saline quality, with savory dried flowers and wet stone qualities that linger in the finish. Mysterious and outstanding.”
RED WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2012 LaRue Wines Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California
“Light garnet in the glass, this wine smells super juicy, with raspberry and bright citrus notes. In the mouth, that juiciness pays off in spades as citrus, raspberry and redcurrant take on a stony freshness. Fabulous acidity and length. Candidate for the best (and probably among the most expensive) mere Sonoma Coast designated (as opposed to individual vineyard) wine?”
Antonio Galloni Reviews 2012 Pinot Noir
January 2015
“Black cherries, cloves, and new leather blossom in the glass as this supple, generous (2012 Coastlands Vineyard) Pinot shows off it’s striking inner sweetness and perfume.” -Score: 93
“Firm yet well-integrated tannins… there is a sense of drive and energy to the (2012) Rice-Spivak that is compelling.” -Score: 92
“The 2012 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is gorgeous. Lifted and gracious,…Sweet red berries, flowers and a hint of cinnamon are all delineated in the glass, with pretty saline notes that add brightness.”
-Score: 92
“Smoke, dark cherries, menthol and tobacco meld together in the 2012 Pinot Noir Emmaline Ann. Pliant, soft and expressive, the Emmaline Ann captures the essence of this radiant vintage.”
-Score: 91
Prince of Pinot Reviews 2012 Pinot Noir
December 11, 2014 – Volume 10, Issue 1
“I am a fan of these very stylistic wines crafted by Katy Wilson whose wines are very similar in character to those crafted by her winemaking partner, Ross Cobb. Grapes are picked earlier than many, whole cluster fermentation plays a big role, and the wines have a juiciness and acidity that is bright and uplifting. Oak is never an issue and tannins are refined. Those looking for big, extracted fruit bombs, should look elsewhere.”
Prince of Pinot Reviews LaRue Wines’ 2010 and 2011 Pinot Noir
May 15, 2014 – Volume 9, Issue 41
“Owner and winemaker Katy Wilson is really blossomed into a top flight Pinot Noir producer of West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.”
2010 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Score: 93
2011 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Score: 95
2011 Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Score: 97
HAWK WAKAWKA WINE REVIEWS – Reporting from In Pursuit of Balance SF
March 11, 2014
“Katy Wilson of La Rue brought two different vintages of Pinot from the Rice-Spivak Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast in order to showcase vintage contrast, with the 2010 being a markedly cold year for the region, and 2012 comparatively more normal. The 2012 Pinot offered peach perfume, with a raspberry-peach and peach skin palate moved through with red cherry and strawberry accents. There was a pleasant acid-tannin balance, and nice length. The 2010 carried a more red-pink focus with strawberry-cherry floral nose followed by a strawberry-cherry mouth with kirsch accents and a touch more pepper. The 2010 offered a stronger core of tension, a ton of juiciness and length.”
WineAnorak.com – Jamie Goode’s Wine Blog – 10 Californian Pinot Noirs that will blow your mind
March 11, 2014
“LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 Sonoma Coast, California: This is the first time I’ve tried the wines of Katy Wilson, and I was impressed. This is supple and sweet with some spicy notes under the fresh, silky, ripe cherry fruit. There’s real detail and complexity here: a generous wine but one that’s still really elegant. 95/100.”
San Francisco Chronicle Winemaker to Watch: Katy Wilson
February 4, 2013
“Even in a lineup of top California Pinots, Wilson’s wines tend to stand out for their balance of juiciness and tension. They are friendly, but highly structured, wines.”
