The Royal St. Robert Pinot Noir is Raen's tribute to place and family - an homage to Carlo Mondavi's grandfather, Robert Mondavi. It is undoubtedly a powerful coastal Pinot Noir. The backbone of the 2023 cuvée comes from the Freestone-Occidental vineyard. It's an incredibly aromatic wine with savoriness, earthiness, and fruit. Herbal notes, like bouquet garni, mix with aromas of wet leaves, damp soils, and citrus florals like neroli, giving the nose both depth and elegance. The medium-bodied palate delivers wild berries, black cherries, and a splash of tart pomegranate juice. The mid-palate shows fine-grained tannins and nice acidity with a vibrant, spicy, and long finish.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert is redolent of floral, savory and citrus notes. I find it especially brilliant and crystalline. At the same time, the 2023 is pretty tightly wound. Rose petal, iron, tea leaves, incense and dried herbs open nicely with some coaxing, The colder growing season brings out the slightly gamier, wilder side of Pinot Noir along with plenty of brightening acidity in this mid-weight, taut Pinot from Raen. I would give this a year or two in bottle at a minimum.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert bursts from the glass with pure scents of cranberry, blood orange, Angostura bitters and cola, and as it spends time in the glass, it begins to reveal compelling foresty undertones. The medium-bodied palate is silky and bright with concentrated, crunchy flavors, vibrant acidity and a long, perfumed finish.