2019 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard

The 2019 Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard is sourced from a mountain ridge north of Fort Ross on the Sonoma Coast. It is dark-fruited on the nose, with black raspberry liqueur, warming spice, and forested earth. It has an ample and powerful structure, with black cherry fruit and firm tannins that will benefit from some time in bottle. This is a more serious, brooding wine that can stand up to richer fare and grilled meats. Hold it for 2-4 years and drink over the following 10-15 years. 2024-2038. A part of the Kendall-Jackson family, Hartford Court was established by Don and Jennifer Hartford, whose first vintage was 1994. They began with two vineyard designated wines, and today they have expanded to include 36 single vineyard wines, dedicated to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Jeff Stewart, the general manager and winemaker since 2011, and Tiaan Lordan, who has been with the estate since 2010, share the role as winemakers today.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard, aged 16 months in 33% new French oak, has a medium ruby-purple color and loads of aromatic complexity, with pure scents of blueberries, rhubarb, violets, white pepper, conifer, tobacco and moss. The medium-bodied palate explodes with intense, fragrant fruits supported by silty tannins and soft bursts of fresh acidity. It's long, detailed and expressive. It deserves another 2-3 years in bottle despite all that hedonistic, floral fruit. The Far Coast Vineyard is north of the town of Fort Ross on the Sonoma Coast, where vines are planted at an elevation of 800-1,000 feet. 283 cases were made.