Winemaker Notes
Balanced aromas of cassis and loamy earth frame the nose. Fresh, lively flavors of savory herb and blackberry engage the palate. The depth of flavor and length of finish complete the experience.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir at Domaine Eden was fermented with 20% whole clusters and aged in French oak, ranging from one to five years old. The nose is fresh and floral, combining cranberry, hibiscus and sandalwood aromas with a subtle herbal quality. The palate straddles high-toned structure and deep richness, with persistently soft acidity.
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Wine Enthusiast
Cranberry, crumpled thyme, dusty earth and a hint of fresh oregano show on the nose of this bottling. There's a sandalwood kick to the palate, which is loaded with dark plum and earthy herb flavors.
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Wine & Spirits
Stemmy, green and fresh, like mist lifting off the ground, this wine raises delicate cherry fruit over clay-like tannins. Those tannins take over in the end, bringing the fruit back down to earth.
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Wine Spectator
Perfumed and engaging, with mulled blood orange, raspberry and damson plum notes infused liberally with red tea and dried savory accents. A light sanguine thread curls around the finish, adding a sense of taut energy.
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.”
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.