Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This is frankly ripe and expressive, featuring extroverted blood orange, cherry and Damson plum preserve flavors that mix with lively dried anise, red tea and singed savory notes. Manages to maintain a racy mineral edge through the finish though, giving a counterpoint to the fruit. For fans of the not-shy style.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is herbal, earthy and has a powerful presence. Dark plum and cherry fruit are met by accents of sage, clove and caramel. Overall, it's rich and jammy, with hallmark varietal earthiness.
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.