Winemaker Notes
Fresh and approachable, the Estate Pinot Noir captures the classic character of Carneros Martini Clone Pinot Noir, which is to say a delicate, pretty wine with a medium body, fresh acidity, and beguiling intricacy. Hungarian oak adds a warm spice and earth component to the fruit’s classic aromas and flavors of rose petals and bright red cherries, with some tea leaf and herbal notes from the whole cluster stem contact.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2021 Obsidian Estate Pinot Noir offers alluring aromas and flavors of fragrant spices, cedar chest, and joyful berries. Try it with grilled rib lamb chops. (Tasted: April 25, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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.