2014 Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir

Description

92 pts – Wine Enthusiast magazine: “Clove and forest pine open this immensely perfumed and expressive vintage-designate, its backbone built in plush, polished tannin and lengthy power. Black cherry, brambly berry and cola complement each other in dense, concentrated waves.”

Our 2014 Pinot Noir is from the Dutton Ranch property outside Sebastopol, California, in the Russian River Valley AVA (Green Valley sub-appellation). Our specific vineyard is a 26 acre parcel called “Widdoes”, with gently rolling hills, warm summer afternoons and cool evenings that contribute to the dense pine-cone-like(“pinot”) clusters of nearly black (“noir”) berries. The resulting wine (Inspired by the classical French Burgundy region where Pinot Noir has been grown since the 14th Century) is medium, full-body in color – with deep berry notes of red & black cherry.

WINEMAKER’S REVIEW

This is a beautiful spice box mélange of bright red, racy fruit, fresh crushed raspberry, Christmas spice, and a touch of clove and vanillin from the 40% new French Oak. The aromas come in waves of absolute delight. The palate is striking with near perfect balance of acidity, weight of fruit and a strength of tannin. The Widdoes is a dry farmed, old vine, vineyard that has a stoic demeanor in the fruit it yields. That strength and balances allows for a lovely food pairing wine that will age most gracefully. I believe cellared correctly, this wine will survive to 2029 and well beyond.