Freeman 'Yu-ki Estate' Pinot Noir, Occidental, West Sonoma Coast, California 2021
Founded in 2001 by Ken and Akiko Freeman, Freeman Winery operates from a small estate in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, producing exclusively cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from sites along California's extreme northern coast. Total production is held below 5,000 cases annually, with as many as 50 individual clonal fermentations managed per vintage across just six Pinot Noir bottlings. Akiko Freeman, who leads the winemaking team alongside associate winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi, draws on Burgundian principles of site expression and minimal intervention. The Freemans are also co-founders of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association, which successfully lobbied for the establishment of the West Sonoma Coast AVA, authorized in 2019. Freeman has been recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Top 25 Wineries in Sonoma.
- Winemaker: Akiko Freeman; associate winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi
- Farming: Sustainable viticulture. Estate-owned vineyard. 22 acres donated to the Bodega Land Trust to preserve the property's old-growth redwoods.
- Variety: Pinot Noir 100%. Clones: Calera, Mt. Eden, 2A Wadenswil, 23 Mariafeld, 114, 667, and 828 — all clones planted at Yu-ki Estate are represented in the blend.
- Terroir: Occidental, West Sonoma Coast AVA, Sonoma Coast. Yu-ki Estate is situated above the town of Occidental at 1,000 feet elevation, five miles from the Pacific Ocean. The site was purchased in 2007 and named for Akiko's nephew — one translation of Yu-ki is "big tree," reflecting the surrounding old-growth redwood forest. The extreme coastal proximity drives persistent marine influence, cool temperatures, and extended hang time. The 2021 vintage was an excellent recovery year following the 2020 wildfire season, which prevented any Yu-ki Pinot Noir from being made. Yields in 2021 were approximately 2.3 tons per acre.
- Vinification: Five-day cold soak in open-top fermenters; hand-punched down one to three times daily. Free-run juice sent directly to barrel; press wine settled and barreled separately. 21 barrels selected from 79 total produced at the vineyard.
- Aging: 11 months in French oak (29% new, 9% one-year, 9% two-year, 33% three-year, 20% neutral). Bottled August 2022. 425 cases produced (750ml).
- Tasting Notes: The most open of Freeman's three 2021 West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs. Wild blackberry, olallieberry, and fresh roots on the nose with lilac florals. Substantial palate weight framed by firm tannins that, with air, give way to well-balanced fruit and earthy complexity, with a finish that lingers for several minutes. Best from 2024 through 2033.
- Food Pairings: Roasted duck breast, mushroom risotto, lamb with herbs, and pinot-friendly aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.
- Scores: 95 points, James Suckling (2021 vintage) | 95 points, Vinous (2021 vintage)
Freeman 'Yu-ki Estate' Pinot Noir, Occidental, West Sonoma Coast, California 2021
Founded in 2001 by Ken and Akiko Freeman, Freeman Winery operates from a small estate in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, producing exclusively cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from sites along California's extreme northern coast. Total production is held below 5,000 cases annually, with as many as 50 individual clonal fermentations managed per vintage across just six Pinot Noir bottlings. Akiko Freeman, who leads the winemaking team alongside associate winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi, draws on Burgundian principles of site expression and minimal intervention. The Freemans are also co-founders of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association, which successfully lobbied for the establishment of the West Sonoma Coast AVA, authorized in 2019. Freeman has been recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Top 25 Wineries in Sonoma.
- Winemaker: Akiko Freeman; associate winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi
- Farming: Sustainable viticulture. Estate-owned vineyard. 22 acres donated to the Bodega Land Trust to preserve the property's old-growth redwoods.
- Variety: Pinot Noir 100%. Clones: Calera, Mt. Eden, 2A Wadenswil, 23 Mariafeld, 114, 667, and 828 — all clones planted at Yu-ki Estate are represented in the blend.
- Terroir: Occidental, West Sonoma Coast AVA, Sonoma Coast. Yu-ki Estate is situated above the town of Occidental at 1,000 feet elevation, five miles from the Pacific Ocean. The site was purchased in 2007 and named for Akiko's nephew — one translation of Yu-ki is "big tree," reflecting the surrounding old-growth redwood forest. The extreme coastal proximity drives persistent marine influence, cool temperatures, and extended hang time. The 2021 vintage was an excellent recovery year following the 2020 wildfire season, which prevented any Yu-ki Pinot Noir from being made. Yields in 2021 were approximately 2.3 tons per acre.
- Vinification: Five-day cold soak in open-top fermenters; hand-punched down one to three times daily. Free-run juice sent directly to barrel; press wine settled and barreled separately. 21 barrels selected from 79 total produced at the vineyard.
- Aging: 11 months in French oak (29% new, 9% one-year, 9% two-year, 33% three-year, 20% neutral). Bottled August 2022. 425 cases produced (750ml).
- Tasting Notes: The most open of Freeman's three 2021 West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs. Wild blackberry, olallieberry, and fresh roots on the nose with lilac florals. Substantial palate weight framed by firm tannins that, with air, give way to well-balanced fruit and earthy complexity, with a finish that lingers for several minutes. Best from 2024 through 2033.
- Food Pairings: Roasted duck breast, mushroom risotto, lamb with herbs, and pinot-friendly aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.
- Scores: 95 points, James Suckling (2021 vintage) | 95 points, Vinous (2021 vintage)