Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The dark ruby-colored 2011 Pinot Noir Estate Carneros offers pleasant cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit, Burgundian-like, soft forest floor notes, medium body, a round personality, soft tannins and fresh acids.
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Wine Spectator
A muscle-bound effort, offering loamy earth, road tar and dark berry flavors. Fairly tannic and gutsy, ending with ample grip. Best to lay this down. Best from 2015 through 2024. 479 cases made.
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.