Winemaker Notes
The 2017 Carneros Estate pinot is dark ruby in color, with aromas of plum, blackberry, vanilla and sassafras. The palate is juicy and ripe, with mixed red berries, plum, and elegant tannin to frame the rich flavors. The finished remains balanced, with signature Carneros acidity balancing intense fruit and vanilla notes.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds, the 2017 Pinot Noir Estate was completely destemmed and brought up in 70% new French oak. It’s a full-bodied, opulent effort that has light tannins, moderate acidity, and perfumed black raspberry fruits interwoven with plenty of spice and floral notes. Drink this round, textured, flamboyant Pinot Noir over the coming 5-7 years.
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James Suckling
This has a super plush and ripe, luxuriant feel with aromas of spiced blueberries and dark cherries, wound up with earthy threads. The palate has such fleshy, velour-like tannins. Really fine and long with great depth.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir is shy and broody on opening, with aromas of moss-covered bark and forest floor giving way to cranberry, rhubarb, blackberries and amaro hints with touches of blueberry. Light to medium-bodied, it's rounded and silky in the mouth with great flavor intensity, softly grainy tannins and juicy acidity to refresh the long, very spicy finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Thick and viscous in brawny, concentrated flavors of baked strawberry, savory earth and an intensity of caramel, this is a well-structured, fullbodied and robustly ripe wine from the winery estate. Black tea, compost and rhubarb furl around its edges.
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.