From one of California's pioneering Pinot Noir producers comes this gorgeous Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Stylistically, its right up the middle seeing a relatively conservative 25% new French oak and pitch-perfect ripeness. The 2016 and 2017 versions were given 93 and 92 points respectively by the Wine Enthusiast. This 2018 is their bottling blend as well.
Dark garnet in the glass with sensuous and lively aromas of black cherry, black tea, rhubarb and Christmas cake spice. The energetic nose is mirrored on the palate with a velvety attack of ripe cherry, baking spice, and cola unfurling over firm yet supportive tannins and finishing with a flourish of red fruit-coated mineral, rose petal and bergamot tea spice. This beautiful Pinot offers length and power and fruit-forward complexity in a wine that will have broad appeal to Pinot Noir lovers. A true classic and another ludicrous deal.
Below is a review from wine blogger The Drunken Cyclist:
12/7/2020 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93-Points
As I wrote about on my blog a couple of months ago, it seems as though Cameron Hughes has once again found a fantastic formula: he buys already made wine in bulk and with little further manipulation, bottles it under his de Negoce label...A brilliant translucent ruby in the glass with dark cherry fruit, considerable spice (including clove), and a minty/eucalyptus aspect on the nose. The palate is fruity, rich, fairly big, but also nuanced--this is much more of a sipping Pinot than it is a food wine but damn, is it tasty. Three months or so ago, I was a skeptic before I tried the wines, but I have to say I am a total convert at this point. Delicious. thedrunkencyclist.com
Wine Details
25% new French Oak
Clones: a blend of 838, 115, 667, 777 and Pommard
14.3% alc.
Bottled August 22nd, 2020
