Fall Release Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
2016

Winemaker’s Notes

This is our richest and deepest Estate Pinot Noir since the wonderful 2012 bottling, and it’s certainly the most powerful Pinot of the vintage, befitting of our finest vineyard. That’s not to say, however, the wine lacks energy or poise, as it is vibrant, lively and intense with a clear vineyard signature at its core. The wine dances on the palate, all its elements in beautiful equilibrium, with a clarity that’s derived from precise vineyard work, not winemaking technique; it’s a pure translation of the vines and grapes themselves.

We harvested a strict selection from our three favorite micro-parcels within the wider Estate Vineyard: higher-elevation areas where the soils transition from fluffy/sandy to richer clay. As such, the wine balances sandy soil aromatic intensity—tart fruits, floral and spice notes, and an herbal vein—with richer, deeper clay-derived body and depth—cherry compote, dark fruits and obvious texture. There’s gorgeous elemental Pinot flavor throughout: zesty, linear and focused with a long granular structure that offers extended aging potential of 10 to 12 years. Start drinking your allocation sometime in mid-2019 but know the wine’s fullest expression will likely emerge between 2020 and 2024.

Andy Smith