Winemaker Notes
Dark purple-red color with deep intensity. Room-filling aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and blackberry with fresh underbrush and brambly undertones. A round, luscious wine, with focused and lingering finish. The smooth tannin and medium body highlight the balanced and expansive palate. The finish is savory and smooth with a refreshing acidity.
Pairs beautifully with roasted beef tenderloin, wild mushroom risotto, and semi-hard cheeses such as asiago and Manchego.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The dynamics of crushed red berries, cranberry, umami, and sweet oak are swirling on the top notes. At the same time, the mouthfeel is juicy with mulberry, cranberry, and citrus cream flavors, rushing into a dry but gravelly finish that makes the palate salivate. pair with roasted half-chicken, seasonal veggies.
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Vinous
The 2021 Pinot Noir Carpe Diem is exceptionally blended from Altenbourg in Kientzheim and Rosenberg in Wettolsheim, due to the tiny yields of 2021. There still is some reductive funk on the nose, and the lift that comes with 70% of whole bunches. The fruit underneath is tart redcurrant, pure and aromatic, pervaded by white pepper on a slender, lithe palate. This is a very tender wine, fresh, aromatic and bright, yet with a lovely, soft structure and vivid red berry. A very delicate yet compelling Pinot with subtle length. (Bone-dry)
Anderson Valley, located in Mendocino County just above Sonoma County, is one of California’s coolest AVAs, allowing it a long growing season. Only 15 miles long, the region makes a slice eastward through the mountains, from the frigid Pacific Ocean. Dramatic diurnal temperature variations here preserve grape acidity and thus freshness in the finished wines. These are prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and the valley produces many fine versions. Characteristics of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir typically include crisp acidity, cranberry and strawberry notes as well as earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom.
Still Pinot Noir, however, is only part of the story. Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, are also grown for Anderson Valley’s exceptional sparkling wines. Produced via the traditional method, these offer a classic toasty note from lees aging, bright, complex fruit notes and a clean, refreshing character.