2017 Wildrose Estate Pinot Noir

The 2017 Pinot Noir Wildrose Vineyard is one of the more reticent wines in this range. I imagine the 33% whole clusters have a lot to do with that. Bright, punchy and super-expressive, the 2017 has so much going on. Freshly cut flowers, mint, crushed rocks, dried flowers and savory herbs all grace this finely cut, wonderfully nuanced wine. The 2017 is fabulous, but it needs time.

From a vineyard planted in 1999, exclusively to Dijon clones, the pale to medium ruby colored 2017 Pinot Noir Wildrose Estate Vineyard opens with savory aromas of toast, woodsmoke, tobacco and dried herbs with black cherries, blackcurrant touches, meaty nuances and a youthful framing of new oak spice. It's light to medium-bodied, savory and intense, with a soft frame and seamlessly woven acidity, finishing long. This needs more time in bottle.

From the first vineyard planted by Andy Smith (in 1999), the 2017 Pinot Noir Wildrose Vineyard comes from the Sonoma Coast and is one of the more backward, masculine wines in the lineup. Lots of black cherry, wood smoke, charred earth, and violet notes all give way to a concentrated, beautifully put together Pinot that has bright acidity, notable tannins, and a great finish. It’s all potential at this point though and needs to be hidden in the cellar for 3-4 years.