Reviews & Press
2007 Vintage
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, March 2010
It’s hard to believe that Alan Peirson and Robbie Meyer, the creators of L’Angevin’s wines, have been doing this for nine years. These excellent offerings rarely get the press they deserve. Under a companion label, Peirson-Meyer, small lot wines are produced, all of which are impressive.
2007 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Under the L’Angevin label, the 2007 Chardonnay Russian River possesses abundant amounts of opulent pear, pineapple, and other assorted tropical fruits intermixed with a notion of wood spice as well as an attractive, fleshy, medium to full-bodied personality with nice texture and length. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. - 90 pts.
2007 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Laughlin Family Vineyard, Russian River Valley
A brilliant wine, the 2007 Chardonnay Laughlin Family Vineyard exhibits a light gold color, more orange blossom, nectarine, and buttered citrus notes, full-bodied power, and superb texture, richness, and length. This sexy, complex Chardonnay was aged in 55% new French oak, spent 16 months on its lees, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. - 94 pts.
2007 L’Angevin Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The 2007 Pinot Noir Russian River (100% de-stemmed) comes from Dijon clones 828 and 777 as well as the old Calera and Swan clones. Apparently there is also some of that special “suitcase” clone from Vosne-Romanee in the blend. The wine possesses abundant amounts of blueberry, sweet cherry, underbrush, spice box, and earth characteristics along with good density, decent acidity, and silky tannins. Already evolved and complex, it should continue to drink well for another 5-6 years. - 90 pts.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2009
2007 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Laughlin Family Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Greenish-gold. Smoke, lees and honey on the nose. Sappy orchard fruit and melon flavors coat the palate with surprising energy, picking up anise and nougat character on the back end. Fleshy and smooth chardonnay, with very good finishing breadth and lingering sappiness. This wine is powerful enough to handle richly sauced fish or poultry dishes. - 90 pts.
2007 L’Angevin Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Vivid red. Spicy red and dark berry aromas are complicated by notes of cinnamon, rose and musky underbrush. Fleshy, gently sweet red berry flavors are firmed by a refreshingly bitter cherry skin quality and become spicier with air. Manages to be both rich and lithe, repeating the red fruits on the finish.
- 90 pts.
2007 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2007
Yellow-gold. Leesy peach and poached pear aromas are complemented by notes of anise and smoky herbs. Fleshy and supple, offering deep orchard and pit fruit flavors and slow-mounting spiciness. A tangy mineral quality lingers on the gently sweet, persistent finish. - 89 pts.
Wine Spectator, June 2009
2007 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Laughlin Family Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Smooth-textured, with creamy spice, apple and pear notes and hazelnut and butterscotch hints. Turns sleek and elegant, ending with a long, complex finish. Drink now through 2012. - 91 pts.
2007 L’Angevin Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
A mix of ripe, creamy fig, melon and melon fruit. Full-bodied, with hints of mineral, hazelnut and spice and a complex, lingering finish. Drink now through 2012. - 89 pts.
2007 L’Angevin Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Firm, intense and vibrant, rich and concentrated, this full-bodied, spicy version is marked by complex earthy cherry, wild berry and blackberry fruit that gains depth and focus on the long, intricate finish, supported by firm, dry tannins. Drink now through 2014. - 90 pts.
2006 Vintage
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 2008
2006 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
The 2006 Chardonnay Russian River exhibits notes of honeysuckle and tropical fruit as well as notions of earth and spice. This elegant, medium to full-bodied fleshy, pure, vibrant Chardonnay should be consumed over the next 2-3 years. - 91 pts.
2006 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Laughlin Family Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Another winner is the crisp 2006 Chardonnay Laughlin Family Vineyard. It offers hints of white peaches, apricots, honeysuckle and candle wax, a restrained oak component, full body, good acidity and a long finish. It should drink well for 3-4 years. - 93 pts.
2006 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Sensational aromas of nectarines, crushed rock, and peaches soar from the glass of the 2006 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard. It hits the palate with stunning concentration, loads of tropical fruit, and notes of lemon oil and orange blossom. A complex, full-bodied Chardonnay with terrific minerality, it too, can be drunk over the next 3-4 years. - 95 pts.
2006 L’Angevin Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River exhibits aromas of plums, currants, underbrush and subtle smoke as well as silky tannins, a ripe, medium to full bodied mouthfeel, and a soft finish. It can be enjoyed over the next 2-4 years. - 90 pts.
2006 L’Angevin Pinot Noir, Sonoma Stage Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
The 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard displays more black currant, sweet black cherry, and raspberry characteristics along with hints of damp earth, forest floor, and figs, sweet tannin, medium to full body, and a long finish. A superb effort in this vintage, it can be enjoyed over the next 2-4 years.
- 91 pts.
Wine Spectator, July 2008
2006 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Smooth and creamy-textured, with ripe pear, melon and honeysuckle flavors that are both rich and elegant, ending with a long, tapered finish that returns to the prime flavor themes. Drink now through 2011. - 91 pts.
2006 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Laughlin Family Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Complex aromas of ripe fig, citrus, hazelnut and cedary oak, with hints of anise and sage, give this a complex, even savory edge that grows on you. Drink now through 2011. - 92 pts.
2006 L’Angevin Chardonnay, Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Wonderful fresh peach and peach blossom scents carry over nicely to the palate, where they’re deep concentrated, rich and persistent. Drink now through 2011. - 93 pts.
2005 Vintage
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
These are once again impressive wines produced by Robbie Meyer and Alan Peirson, who learned their craft at Peter Michael but have now become increasingly important specialists of limited production Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
2005 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
The 20005 Chardonnay Russian River boasts plenty of honeysuckle, tropical fruit, wonderful intensity, purity and a full bodied opulence. - 91 pts.
2005 Chardonnay, Laughlin Family Vineyard, Russian River Valley
The 2005 Chardonnay Laughlin has more subtlety, slightly less expressive, but is still an outstanding example of Burgundian-styled Chardonnay, with copious quantities of pineapple, smoky hazelnuts, white peach and citrus oil notes, as well as good length, richness, and intensity. - 90 pts.
2005 Chardonnay, Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
From one of the great grand cru Chardonnay sites of California, the 2005 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard is a beautiful wine from 20- to 30- year old vines planted on rocky soils at just under 1,000-ft. The wine displays crushed rocks, white currants, lemon blossoms as well as some nectarine, guava, and brioche characteristics. It is full bodied, complex, rich and intense. - 93 pts.
2005 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The 2005 Pinot Noir Russian River shows smoky plum, fig, black currant and cherry notes along with forest floor and fresh mushrooms in a medium to full bodied style. - 88 pts.
2005 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Stage Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Even better is the 2005 Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard which exhibits cola, mulberry, and black cherry and some darker fruits. This impressive Pinot Noir can be drunk now or cellared for 3-4 years. - 91 pts.
2004 Vintage
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2004 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
The delicious 2004 Chardonnay offers up aromas of honeysuckle, peach jam, buttered citrus, hazelnuts and smoke. With beautiful fruit, full body, lovely ripeness and good underlying acidity, this well-endowed Chardonnay is fashioned from a 35-year old vineyard (Laughlin Family Vineyard) situated near the Martinelli property. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. - 91pts.
2004 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
From the Sonoma Coast, the 2004 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard (a terrific 20-30 year old site planted in rocky soils at a 900 foot elevation) is a profound white wine. It possesses great intensity, a light gold color, beautiful orange blossom, marmalade, brioche, and lemon oil characteristics, full body, loads of complexity as well as intensity, and a leesy, Burgundian-like note. It should drink well for 3-4 years. - 95 pts.
2004 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Stage Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
The 2004 Pinot Noir from the Hyde's Sonoma Stage Vineyard (made from California old Swan and Calera clones) exhibits earthy, herbal, underbrush, black cherry, licorice and sassafras characteristics. This spicy, moderately tannic Pinot may merit an outstanding score with another year or so of bottle age. It will last for 5-7 years.
The Wine Spectator, April 2006
2004 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Delicious and distinct for it's floral and tangerine flavors that are rich and vibrant. The initial burst of fruit is riveting, finishing with a long, creamy aftertaste. - 91 pts.
2004 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
A lively beam of acidity gives this wine vibrancy and enlivens the complex mix of baked pear, fig, green apple and spicy, toasty hazelnut flavors. Rich without being heavy, the finish is amazingly complex and long. - 94 pts.
2003 Vintage
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2003 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Founded in 2001 by Peter Michael employees Robbie Meyer and Alan Peirson, L’Angevin produces impressive Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from cooler-climate vineyard sites. The unfined/unfiltered 2003 Chardonnay Russian River emerges from the Laughlin Vineyard. A honeyed nose of white currants, tropical fruits, subtle wood, and leesy aromas is followed by a rich, full-bodied, concentrated beauty to drink over the next 4-6 years. - 93 pts.
2003 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Even better, the profound 2003 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard exhibits superb opulence, full bodied power, and stunning richness, definition, and intensity. This rocky Sonoma Coast vineyard is planted at a 900 foot elevation. The 2003 offers aromas of orange marmalade, lemon oil, tropical fruit, crushed rocks, hazelnut and subtle wood. It should drink well for 4-5 years. - 95 pts.
2002 VINTAGE
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2002 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Longtime employees at Peter Michael Winery are endeavoring to produce cool climate Chardonnays from low yields and natural winemaking. As these two impressive efforts indicate, they are succeeding beautifully. Both of these 2002s enjoy indigenous yeast fermentations, extended upbringings for 15-16 months, and no fining or filtration. The light golden/green-colored, full bodied 2002 Chardonnay Russian River exhibits full bodied, complex aromas of orange blossoms, honeyed citrus, brioche, hazelnuts and minerals in addition to a beautiful texture. - 93 pts.
2002 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Similarly styled but more tightly knit with higher acidity and more structure, the 2002 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard is a 294-case cuvée produced from 20-30 year old Chardonnay vines, it possesses a great finish, even though it is more reticent aromatically and on the attack. Drink this beauty over the next 3-4 years. - 93+ pts.
