Winemaker Notes
Lush red fruit aromas of strawberry and cherry with a hint of spice. Red fruit flavors are extended on the palate with strawberry and Bing cherry coupled with round black tea-like tannins.
The Los Carneros Pinot Noir is an ideal wine to savor on its own, as well as a perfect pairing for glazed duck breast, chicken Marsala or mild, creamy cheeses like brie and camembert.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2018 Pinot Noir sings of crushed black raspberries, kirsch and mulberries with hints of underbrush, lilacs and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate has an impressive structure of grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the vibrant red berry layers, finishing on a lingering earthy note.
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Wine Enthusiast
A hearty, full-bodied wine from the appellation, this red is also invitingly earthy, intense and lush. Baking spice, sage and black cherry combine around a supple core of ripeness and varietal character, finishing powerfully in toasted oak
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.