Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of March 2, 2025

Welcome to this week’s installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I review some interesting wine samples that have recently come my way. This week features exceptional sparkling wines from Racines Wines, a collaboration between Étienne de Montille, Brian Sieve, and Rodolphe Péters. Racines specializes in both Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, but their sparkling offerings are also remarkable. They kindly sent over two single-vineyard vintage blanc-de-blancs: one from Bentrock and the other from Sanford & Benedict vineyard, alongside their multi-vintage bottling. The Bentrock sparkling wine stands out for its citrusy vibrancy.

On the no- and low-alcohol front, I sampled wines from Missing Thorn—a joint venture between Napa winemaker Aaron Pott and Stephanie Honig. While the still wines didn’t captivate me, their sparkling rosé delivered a delightful experience with a silken texture and subtle sweetness, making it a recommendable non-alcoholic option.

Jordan Kivelstadt of Kivelstadt Cellars continues to be a creative force in winemaking. His recent collaboration with new winemaker Luke Nio brings fresh perspectives to their offerings. This week, I recommend two wines from Kivelstadt: a straightforward Pinot Noir from their estate vineyard and the adventurous “Sonomasuolo,” a playful blend of carbonically macerated Mourvèdre and Syrah.

Pride Mountain Vineyards, straddling the county line between Napa and Sonoma, produces a Reserve Claret that showcases bright acidity and well-integrated oak. Their Reserve Sonoma Cabernet, bolder in character, promises to develop beautifully with time. In a market where Napa wines often come with steep price tags, these selections represent good value.

Lastly, I tasted the latest Cabernet Sauvignon from Far Niente, which maintains a sweet, round profile—a hallmark of Napa Cabernets—with a blend of additional varietals for complexity.

Tasting Notes

2018 Racines Wine “Bentrock Vineyard” Sparkling Wine

• Appearance: Pale gold with fine bubbles
• Aroma: White flowers, sea air, candied lemon
• Palate: Velvety mousse with saline notes of kelp and lemon
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Score: 9.5/10
• Cost: $105

2018 Racines Wine “S&B Vineyard” Sparkling Wine

• Appearance: Pale yellow-gold with fine bubbles
• Aroma: Lemon pith, sea air
• Palate: Saline lemon flavors with herbal notes
• Alcohol: 12%
• Score: 9-9.5/10
• Cost: $105

NV Racines Wine “Grand Reserve” Sparkling Wine

• Appearance: Pale gold with medium-fine bubbles
• Aroma: Lemon, toasted nuts, sea air
• Palate: Bright and tangy with a long finish
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Score: 9-9.5/10
• Cost: $65

NV Missing Thorn Sparkling Rosé

• Appearance: Light peachy pink
• Aroma: Orange peel, toasted nuts
• Palate: Silky with candied orange flavors, hint of sweetness
• Alcohol: 0.5%
• Score: 8.5/10
• Cost: $30

2022 Kivelstadt Cellars “Sibling Rivalry” Pinot Noir

• Appearance: Light to medium garnet
• Aroma: Cranberry, wet earth
• Palate: Silky with cranberry and raspberry notes
• Alcohol: 12.6%
• Score: 8.5/10
• Cost: $49

2023 Kivelstadt Cellars “Sonomasuolo” Red Blend

• Appearance: Medium to dark garnet
• Aroma: Boysenberries, black cherries
• Palate: Bright cherry flavors with crunchy acidity
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Score: 8.5/10
• Cost: $22

2021 Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Claret

• Appearance: Dark garnet
• Aroma: Black cherry, tobacco
• Palate: Juicy cherry with integrated oak notes
• Alcohol: 14.4%
• Score: 9-9.5/10
• Cost: $149

2021 Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

• Appearance: Dark garnet
• Aroma: Black cherry, sweet oak
• Palate: Sweet oak enveloping black cherry flavors
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Score: 9/10
• Cost: $106

2022 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon

• Appearance: Dark garnet
• Aroma: Sweet black cherry, blackberry
• Palate: Rich and ripe black cherry flavors with good acidity
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Score: 9-9.5/10
• Cost: $116

The wines reviewed this week reflect a spectrum of flavors and styles, each worthy of exploration for any wine enthusiast.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!