The Tasting Panel magazine

March 2018

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52  /  the tasting panel  /  march 2018 TASTING NOTES B ill Price III grew up in Hawaii, where he spent his spare time in high school surfing. After attending Stanford, Price co-founded TPG Capital, a private equity firm formally known as Texas Pacific Group that later acquired Beringer Vineyards and Chateau St. Jean. Price's interest in wine, fomented by his French-born father, galvanized him to purchase some of the most high-profile vine- yards in California, including Durell and Gap's Crown. Price has since extended his wine empire by acquiring ownership roles in Kistler Vineyards, Buccella, and Lutum, but the most personal of his projects is Three Sticks. The winery, which draws its title from the "III" in Price's name, focuses on Sonoma Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. To bolster the label's prowess, Price hired superstar Bob Cabral, formerly of Williams Selyem, as Director of Winemaking. Price lives in Marin County north of San Francisco, where he still finds time to surf. Read on for Anthony Dias Blue's tasting notes on current Three Sticks releases: 92 Three Sticks Wines 2015 One Sky Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay ($50) Lush and pure with succulent fruit and a silky texture; elegant and tangy. 92 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Durell Vineyard Origin Chardonnay ($50) Bright, juicy nose; opulent with a creamy texture; tangy, polished, and precise with length and finesse. 93 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay ($55) Smooth and refined with ripe fruit and fine balance; lively, crisp, and stylish; long and graceful. 93 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Gap's Crown Vineyard Chardonnay ($55) Sumptuous with vibrant acidity from a vineyard in the Petaluma Gap area of Sonoma County; precise and intense with a lengthy finish. 92 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($65) Earthy nose with notes of wild cherry; tangy and crisp with juicy fruit and savory notes; racy, balanced, and long. 93 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Sta. Rita Hills The James Pinot Noir ($65) An elegant wine from Santa Barbara County; toasty, lush, and refreshing with depth and robust style. 93 Three Sticks Wines 2015 PFV Estate Pinot Noir ($65) A rich blend of fruit from the Gap's Crown, Walala, and Durell vineyards with notes of ripe cherry and sweet vanilla oak; complex with a tangy style and lasting finish. 94 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir ($70) Bright ruby color ; smooth, long, and balanced with lovely structure and depth. A great wine from a great vineyard. 94 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir ($70) A dark and extravagant wine made up of four clones; generous with finesse and a balanced sophistication. 94 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Walala Vineyard Pinot Noir ($70) A complete package with a spicy, savory nose and deep, intense style; full- bodied and mature with a lengthy finish. 95 Three Sticks Wines 2015 Cuvée Eva Marie Pinot Noir ($90) Silky-smooth and refined with abundant floral and vanilla notes; a stunning and exquisite rendition in the Cuvée series. PHOTO COURTESY OF THREE STICKS Riding the Wave BILL PRICE III'S WINE EMPIRE GROWS WITH THREE STICKS' LATEST CHARDONNAY AND PINOT NOIR RELEASES Bill Price III oversees a veritable wine empire, with Three Sticks serving as the most personal of his many projects.

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