Winemaker Notes
These true "old vines" continue to produce gorgeous wine, showing complexity with grace, structure, and finesse that are the hallmarks of this noble grape. All are on full display with the fruit-driven aromas of black cherry, raspberry, and hibiscus. Along with these esters, one finds earthy scents of wet stone, black truffle, and fine-grain leather, which will dominate as the wine ages. Lower grape tannins are found as expected from this thin-skinned grape, along with a medium body and moderate alcohol content. This leads to the captivatingly silky and elegant mouthfeel.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir HMR Estate Vineyard was vinified with 25% whole clusters and matured for 15 months in 40% new French oak. It has spicy scents of red cherry, cinnamon, tea leaves, charcuterie and underbrush, opening to finer details as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate has a powerful core of spicy fruit framed by chalky tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a long, latent finish. Give it 2-3 years in bottle or a couple of hours in a decanter.
Say the words “Paso Robles Pinot Noir,” and some folks might give you a funny look. After all, the region has become famous for Zinfandel, Cabernet and Rhone varieties like Syrah and Grenache. But Pinot? It turns out, however, that Paso Pinot not only has some history, but a very promising future. As in the field of real estate, it all comes down to location, location, location.
Pinot Noir was made here as early as the 1970’s, with further efforts coming in the 1990’s. But it couldn’t happen just anywhere. Typically the sub-appellations on the Westside, namely Adelaida, Templeton Gap, York Mountain and Willow Creek, which benefit from the cooling effect of the nearby Pacific Ocean, turn out the most impressive Pinot Noir, redolent of red fruit, loamy forest floor and floral tones.