Clos Julien Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2023

I had given up hope years ago of ever seeing another Clos Julien Pinot Noir. Their Pinots from a decade ago took customers by storm – as they had never experienced anything in the same stratosphere of quality for the price.

Their business model was as ingenious as their quality standards were high. They struck a crafty deal with one of the foremost Sonoma Pinot Noir brands that wanted a safe expansion plan. The winery could expand their vineyard footprint and until demand caught up with supply, the winery could sell as much as they could at the winery’s forty-dollar price tag, and CJ would buy every unsold bottle at the end of the initial release for cash and at cost.

The plan worked for both parties. Clos Julien Pinots delighted customers and eventually, as the winery became infamous, there was no need for a secondary outlet for their wines.