Winemaker Notes
Classic Mink flavors of blue fruits, pomegranate, cherry notes, with hints of fresh herbs. Darker fruits blend with notes of cocoa to balance the bright juiciness of blueberry and plum. Fine, chalky tannins with a different feel than any new world Pinot we have encountered - we often call them "Italian tannins" perhaps owing to the volcanic origins of the soils. As it opens, the minerality becomes more and more apparent balancing the hedonism of the Mink fruit and beckon you in for another mouthwatering sip. Age in the bottle will reveal the underlying depth of this wine as it evolves and broadens on the palate. This wine delights upon release, but a recent 20 year vertical reveals it has staying power rare among Pinot Noir from any growing region.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
The supple mouthfeel of this wine is an immediate draw, with a creamy, lush style that heightens the richness and reward. Dark cherry and blueberry take on a hint of jamminess that is complemented by notes of crushed rock, black tea and forest, finishing awash in dried herb.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Situated in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley in the Vaca range, the vineyards of the Coombsville AVA enjoy a long growing season mitigated by cool, San Pablo Bay fog.