Tasting Panel, June 2021
A little word of mouth can go a long, long way for a small producer. Just ask Rob and Bonnie Lloyd, who can count both the wines in their portfolio and the members of their team at Napa’s Lloyd Cellars on one hand: For all the potential demand based on Rob’s reputation from prior winemaking stints at La Crema and Rombauer, the law of supply still holds.
In the spirit of continuing education for beverage professionals and consumers, The SOMM Journal — in association with National Geographic and SommCon — invites our members and trade partners to participate in a complimentary, one-of-a-kind wine-tasting webinar series entitled Geographical Digest. The events are hosted virtually by winemakers from across the globe and broadcast live. Videos of the webinars are available on-demand soon after airing.
Winemaker Rob Lloyd will be featured in two of the eight webinars for 2021. For the May 11th webinar, Rob will be speaking to Sta. Rita Hills AVA where we source our Pinot Noir. In the fall, on September 14th, he’ll speak to the Carneros Region and our Chardonnay. We’ll be sharing registration details in the coming weeks!
May 11th 2021 @ 9:00am PT
National Geographic “Pinot Noir: Aspects from Delicacy to Durability“ Webinar, moderated by Master of Wine Andrea Robinson, in association with the Somm Foundation
Winemaker Rob Lloyd to Speak to Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
September 14th 2021 @ 9:00am PT
National Geographic “Balancing Act: Chardonnay at its Best’ Webinar
in association with the Somm Foundation
Winemaker Rob Lloyd to Speak to Carneros Chardonnay
For the first time since 2011, National Geographic Books has fully updated The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, the comprehensive guide for enophiles now in its sixth edition. The launch of the highly anticipated New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia by National Geographic Books was the catalyst for the innovative approach and synergies among industry leaders in their categories.
This essential reference—long used as the go-to text for the prestigious Master Sommelier examination—is the most comprehensive guide to the world of wine, featuring authoritative information on related history, culture, geography, and more. (Source: Tasting Panel Magazine)
Lloyd Cellars by Robert Lloyd 2017 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County ($50) Thanks to the calcium-rich soils of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and cooling winds from the Pacific, this Pinot Noir shows great natural acidity and intensity of flavor. Profound aromas of rose petals and sweet red cherries in wet earth give way to notes of orange peel that glide through raspberry liqueur, mocha, and cedar on the palate, followed by a luxuriously juicy finish of fresh plum. 94 Points
Lloyd by Robert Lloyd 2018 Chardonnay, Carneros, Sonoma County ($40) This expression was made primarily with grapes sourced from three separate blocks in the certified-sustainable Sangiacomo Vineyard; a small percentage comes from Truchard Vineyard. These prestigious sites clearly influence the intensity and purity of fruit in the barrel-fermented wine, which aged for ten months in American oak and was left on the lees until bottling. Carneros Chardonnay is associated with crisp acidity and fresh stone-fruit flavors, and this is no exception; it also offers aromas of pineapple, lemon, and white flowers that lead to notes of buttered pecan, vanilla, peach, and daffodil. 94 Points
Tasting Panel, July/August 2020
Prior to my interview with Robert and Bonnie Lloyd, I had already written this story off—or rather, written it in my head—as a run-of-the-mill profile of an experienced winemaker who has found success by going into business for himself. You can’t blame me for that given Robert’s pedigree, firmly stamped with a shining Chardonnay grape: The graduate of the viticulture and enology master’s program at the University of California, Davis—who bears a solid resemblance to Steve Irwin and is just as charismatic—has crafted his liquid gold for the likes of La Crema and Rombauer, two of the country’s biggest Chardonnay powerhouses, while working with other producers and varieties through his company Lloyd Wine Consulting
