Winemaker Notes
A complex, youthful rendition of the Three Amigos Pinot Noir from RSV’s organically farmed vineyards. Pomegranate and cranberry meet hibiscus, sage and black tea, creating a high-tone bouquet of classic Three Amigos Vineyard aromas that express the true potential of the three adjacent vineyards in the cool, southern Carneros growing region of Napa. The lush fruit quality of the 2016 vintage delivers flavors of juicy red plum, ripe summer red berries, citrus peel and spice for a mid palate that is both luxurious and welcoming at this young age. The vineyard’s cooler, fog mornings and wind-swept afternoons are expressed in a resolve of sturdiness and tension in the finish that ensures this vintage will age gracefully and complement cuisine from any season featuring a wide range of ingredients like roasted eggplant, salmon, duck and lamb.
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.