Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Refined flavors of dried cherry, red currant and plum tart are flanked by touches of membrillo and ample toasty notes. The minerally finish lingers with cooking spice accents.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is full in body, fleshy and widely appealing in style. It's delicately textured in silky tannins, with flavors of cranberry, orange and toasted vanilla. It finishes on tones of cinnamon and cola.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.