Fresh Takes from SonomaJamesSuckling.com | James Suckling

2025-09-18

Fresh Takes from Sonoma

Our top-scoring California pinot noirs and chardonnays this week came from three producers in Sonoma County: Summer Dreams and Ferren on the Sonoma Coast and Arista, in the Russian River Valley.

James tasting Summer Dreams pinot noirs with owner Jayson Woodbridge last week.

Summer Dreams is a project from Jayson Woodbridge, the dynamic owner of Napa Valley’s Hundred Acre winery, who met with James last week in California. Woodbridge says that he makes his pinot noirs with the same dedication he gives his cabernet sauvignons –wines that are vineyard-driven with punchy, rich personalities. His whites under the Summer Dreams label, which are mostly chardonnays, by contrast show notable freshness and tension.

Regardless of color, Woodbridge seeks the influence of the sea and other distinctive elements of the Sonoma Coast that highlight the uniqueness of its terroirs. He seems genuinely infatuated with the area, constantly imagining new single-vineyard and parcel selections each year with his team and his son, Cameron.

James’ favorite wines were the Summer Dreams Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast The Wedge 2023, which he described as fresh with aromas of ripe strawberry, iodine and polished tannins, as well as the evocatively named Walking on Venice Beach 2024, a sauvignon blanc he says is racy and zesty with aromas of sliced lemons, green mango with tangy acidity alongside a vivid finish.

Summer Dreams whites show tension and brightness with a coastal nature.

James Suckling Ratings

2023 Afterglow Chardonnay 94 Points

Aromas of dried apples, stones, bark and a light sage undertone. Full-bodied and layered, with lovely fruit and a long, light caramel and bright fruit finish. Drink now.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

2023 Stargazing Pinot Noir 95 Points

Aromas of blue fruit, strawberries and spices such as nutmeg. Medium-bodied with creamy and round tannins and some chocolate flavors. Savory and fruity finish. Drink now.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2023 Golden Hour Pinot Noir 96 Points

Aromas of smoke, spices and some graphite and dark berries. A juicy, intense and compact wine with a full body and a lovely creamy finish. Lightly chewy at the end. Structured. Drink in two or three years.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2023 Twilight Pinot Noir 96 Points

Aromas of ripe strawberries, cherries, umami and a hint of flint. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a smoky and earthy finish. Spicy at the end with lightly bitter citrus notes. Lots of character. Drink now.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2023 The Wedge Pinot Noir 96 Points

Ripe strawberry, iodine and flint aromas. Fresh and medium- to full-bodied with polished tannins. Savory and spicy flavors such as nutmeg and white pepper. Intense finish. Drink now.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2023 Halley's Comet Pinot Noir 95 Points

Aromas of umami, black cherries, strawberries and flint follow through to a full body with layers of round and creamy tannins and a juicy finish. Some flint and grilled seaweed at the end. Edgy finish with a stony undertone. Drink or hold.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2023 The Flash Pinot Noir 95 Points

Lots of energy in this, with aromas of citrus, bark, peaches, earth, bitter chocolate and a hint of herbs. Medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Juicy and rich but tense. Drink or hold.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2023 Super Chill Pinot Noir 94 Points

A creamy and velvety red with berry, cherry and light chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with plenty of fruit and a polished finish. Drink now or hold.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2023 The Sun Also Rises Chardonnay 94 Points

Plenty of sliced apples, flint, matchsticks and crushed stones. Medium- to full-bodied with excellent acidity and a tangy finish. Plenty of energy. Drink now.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2024 Walking on Venice Beach Sauvignon Blanc 95 Points

Racy aromas and flavors of sliced lemons, green mangoes and flint. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and a vivid finish. Zesty crushed stone notes. Old-vine sauvignon blanc. Drink now.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2024 Martian Pink Rosé of Pinot Noir 92 Points

Fresh and vivid, with aromas of sliced peaches, light cherries and cantaloupe. It’s medium-bodied with delicious fruit and a crisp finish. More like a light red in texture. Drink now.

James Suckling, 09-11-25

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2025-03-31

Jayson Woodbridge's Summer Dreams is a celebration of a season and a region

Robb Report | Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen

This cult Napa winemaker’s newest projects shows off lighter wines from Sonoma Coast.

Hundred Acre, Fortunate Son, and Summer Dreams Wine Bottles

2024-12-19

Mission Accomplished: An Annual Update from The Wine Independent

The Wine Independent | Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Having written an extensive article last year about Jayson & Helen Woodbridge’s three wine projects—Hundred Acre, Fortunate Son, and Summer Dreams—this feature by Lisa Perrotti-Brown is an annual update on the new 2021, 2022, and 2023 releases.

When I create something, the wine tells me what to do. I don’t tell the wine what to do.

2023-11-30

Map Maker: Summer Dreams, Fortunate Son and Hundred Acre New Releases

The Wine Independent | Lisa Perrotti-Brown

“I’m a direct descendent of Jacques Cartier, the cartographer,” Jayson Woodbridge tells me, seemingly apropos of nothing. But nothing is random or out of context with Jayson. For example, he describes Cartier as a cartographer, not an explorer—the profession by which Cartier is better known. With Jayson, every casually offered piece of shared information is specific and purposeful, whether you get it or not.

2024-02-07

Producer Profile: Hundred Acre

Decanter | Jonathan Cristaldi

In a rare in-depth interview granted to Decanter, we meet the dauntless Jayson Woodbridge. The founder of Hundred Acre is a controversial figure in the Napa Valley, yet the wine community can't ignore the fact that his wines are celebrated by pundits the world over.