An amazingly complex, dynamic wine that demands your attention from the first sniff to the lingering finish. Aromas of redwood forest, rosemary, purple flowers and black cherries, then black tea, pomegranate, dark cherry, dried raspberry and wild mushroom flavors. Fine-grained moderate tannins and crunchy acidity give it such a firm backbone. Drink now or hold.

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. Only 22 cases were produced.

The ruby-hued 2023 Royal St. Robert is a selection from their coastal vineyards and is named to honor their grandfather. It opens to notes of wild raspberries, brushy windswept herbs, rose petals, dark stones, and elegant spices. Medium-bodied, it has a good deal of depth on the palate. Drink over the coming 15 years. It has 100% whole clusters in this vintage, and it has a bit of that stemmy spice, but it’s very well managed. - Audrey Frick

This is stylish, with a gently singed sandalwood frame around a core of light damson plum and bitter cherry fruit mixed with rose hip, savory and cherry pit hints. The finish is taut, with a lightly stemmy nuance to it, giving this lingering tension. Best from 2026 through 2031.—J.M.

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. - Erin Brooks

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. - By Antonio Galloni on January 2025