Fall Release Finn Pinot Noir
2009

Winemaker’s Notes

Unsurprisingly this is our wine of the vintage and one of the finest two or three wines we’ve ever bottled (I suspect the finest, but it’s a bit early for such pronouncements). There is a level of complexity, integration and effortless harmony present that is often declared but rarely truly found. It’s undeniably a powerful mouthful of Russian River Pinot Noir but it never strays to the overdone or awkward, remaining subtle, elegant and restrained at all times. There’s a good deal of concentration and volume to the wine and the mid palate really expands and flows but there’s always acidity and tannin present to rein it in and provide clarity and authority of flavor. It’s the level of aromatic complexity that really drives the wine, providing its thrust and persistence, so that you always feel there’s more coming – another level of complexity and volume. And it’s the combination of these multiple non-fruit aromatic nuances – game, leather, lavender, nutmeg, juniper, pepper, menthol, dried herb – that add all the detail and extra dimension. It’s most similar to our 2002 Finn bottling which has become majestic in its maturity and I would anticipate this bottling to age gracefully for at least a decade. As with all great wines, there’s a naturally limited supply, so carefully select the occasion to open this treasure.

Medium dark ruby red; Full spectrum of red and black fruits: bright raspberry and fresh cherry then blackcurrant with stony minerals, game, leather and orange zest lift. On the palate: strawberry and blackcurrant preserves, sweet sassafras, aromatic herb nuances, black raspberry, bay leaf and cocoa. Rising inner mouth perfuminess. Perfectly round supple and pliant tannins, great swirling complexity and building acidity to finish. Drink between 2012 and 2022.

Andy Smith