Winemaker Notes
Heady aromas of raspberry, cherry and wild strawberry jump from the glass, tinged with notes of anise and coriander. Pure and vibrant, the wine delivers sweet red cherry and berry flavors that pick up spicy notes of clove and cinnamon and a hint of toffee on the finish. Fruit concentration, bright acidity and velvety tannins are the hallmarks of this estate-grown Pinot Noir.
Pair with fennel-garlic crusted pork loin or French chevre cheese.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The pale to medium ruby-purple colored 2016 Pinot Noir Estate reveals notes of warm cranberries, kirsch and wild strawberries with touches of underbrush and bay leaves. Medium-bodied with a firm, fine-grained frame, it has oodles of freshness lifting the vibrant red berry flavors to a long finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
This soft, smooth estate wine is forward in tart red fruit, supported by pillowy tannins and well-balanced acidity. There are welcome flavors of cherry and strawberry that flirt with pomegranate and rhubarb.
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.