Recent Cline Releases

The environment friendly pedigree of the Cline Family Cellars wines definitely feels good. Their back labels lay out their vision: Sonoma County Sustainable, Vegan and Gluten Free (note: all wine is gluten free) with nods to "renew and reuse".

With these philosophies, it feels good just picking up a bottle. However, washing them down tastes a bit differently. The wines do not taste of the cool climates from which their labels speak of. Their acids are modest and sometimes finish off tart and harsh. The fruit is clean though often overripe. (Their pHs are on fire they are so high.) There's a toughness to the aromas and palate here. Mind you, they aren't faulty, and they offer a very easy price point. 

85
Cline Cellars 2018 Pinot Gris Sonoma Coast Estate Grown 13.5% 
While the nose is reserved, the palate explodes with orangey citrus fruits and their peels and pithy character.  In fact, there is an evident tannic pithiness that is unusual but that could work well with richer foods. That also plays into the fuller-bodied palate and light touch of viscosity. The acidity starts off feeling light then rages on the back-palate, feeling hard on the moderate and slightly leesy, yeasty finish.  

85
Cline Cellars 2018 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 13.5%
A supple, smooth and round, this Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is not especially fruit-forward, despite its recent vintage. It smells and tastes more of nut pith, lees and warm rubber, and these prominent flavors easily take over the wine's dried apricot flavors on the palate. The medium-bodied oiliness gives this wine textural oomph and carries the apricot and peach peel into a moderate finish. 

83
Cline Cellars 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma County 14%
This wine has a burnt rubber nose backed up with roasted black plums and blackberries baked in a cobbler. The back palate has a stringy, tense acidity that tries to lift the full, glycerol-driven body. It's a clumsy and atypical Pinot Noir with a short and jagged finish.