MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004
Pinot Noir
from Carneros, California
winemaker's notes:
"I love this wine. The vineyard is one of the coolest parts of Carneros, where the maritime influence has given crisp acidity boosting long hangtime fruit. The cherry, raspberry and cola flavors are gorgeous, while the earthier pomegranates and rhubarb are elevated to pie-filling sweetness. Yet the wine is entirely dry. What a beauty."
-Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice 95/100
The grapes for this Pinot Noir came exclusively from MacRostie's Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, owned by Steve MacRostie and his partners Nancy and Tony Lilly. Here the vines dig into the sparse volcanic soil and stand firm against the brisk winds that race in off the Pacific Ocean most afternoons. This foggy mountaintop vineyard is Carneros at its coolest and most challenging, but the vines produce fruit of great distinction.
Dark ruby color, with aromas of black raspberry, clove, and coffee. In the mouth there's loads of ripe raspberry, plus a hint of cinnamon-laced cocoa, like good Mexican chocolate. Very full-bodied, weighty and rich, but still light on its feet. The finish turns slightly toward cedar, but the fruit goes on and on.
