Fall Release Finn Pinot Noir
2017

Winemaker’s Notes

I struggle to recall a more expressive, more intense and, ultimately, complex vintage of our flagship Finn Pinot Noir bottling. Certainly, 2014 and 2002 come close, but I think this new vintage has the edge, placing it among a handful of wines that rank as our finest bottlings.

Often, the greatest wines shouldn’t be over-analyzed or broken down into their constituent parts. We should enjoy them for what they are: thrilling, complex expressions of a vineyard or blend captured at a single moment in time. This vineyard blend is such a wine; it almost seems disrespectful to deconstruct it. There’s a great deal to enjoy, contemplate and even marvel at here. This wine will deliver pleasure for many years ahead; such is its balance between intensity, depth and structure.

The wine opens with layered aromas, from red to black fruits—mossy, savory and deep. The palate is lithe, silky and fine, with intensity and dimension. All elements coalesce, making the wine completely seamless and graceful.

Its secret is not overt power but succulent generosity, and there’s an ebb and flow to the flavor, acidity and tannins. A delicate balance between lacy finesse and structure—challenging to execute—is the key to the wine’s aging potential. Drink between late 2020 and 2030. No need to decant; allow the wine to unfold naturally in the glass.

Andy Smith