Review: Wines of Landmark Vineyards, 2021 Releases

Three new offerings from our pals at Landmark Vineyards. No introduction needed:

2019 Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay Sonoma County – A textbook chardonnay, this wine blends bright apple fruit, figs, and baking spice into a slurry, before dumping them into a bucket of vanilla and gentle, buttery oak. Mellow and approachable on the seductive finish, where the spice notes meld with a punch of citrus to really kick things up. A- / $27

2018 Landmark Vineyards Overlook Pinot Noir – This pinot hits the tongue with quite a bit of toughness, with layers of allspice and clove muscling out the fruit that feels like it must be hiding out somewhere, albeit pretty far beneath the surface. Chewy and brambly, the wine never really arrives on the palate, culminating in a somewhat doughy, earthy experience that somehow completely misses out on providing the cherry- and cola-laden delights that Landmark’s pinots typically provide. The finish is particularly green, unripe, and scattered. This vintage just doesn’t have it. B- / $25

2018 Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – Definitely the winner of the two pinots here, this is a rich and classically RRV structured wine that’s loaded with cherry, cola, and tea leaf, with notes of vanilla adding a silky and slightly sweet element to the finish. Hints of clove, brambly blackberry, and a touch of prune add nuance without ever threatening to overwhelm any of what’s come before. Pick this one up. A- / $40

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