2020 Reserve Pinot Noir

El Dorado

Tasting Notes

This complex wine boasts aromas of strawberry rhubarb, dried herbs, hibiscus, mushroom, and an earthy forest spice. It has significant structural tannin on the front palate and is a bit less rounded than our single vineyard bottlings of pinot noir from El Dorado. This wine will age well for another 5 - 8 years.

Winemaking Notes

We fermented the grapes as all whole berries without crushing, to encourage fruit-forward characteristics. We fermented with a traditional Burgundian yeast strain, then pressed the wine to barrel and aged it on the lees, stirring them back in periodically before letting them settle until we racked the wine just prior to bottling.

After eight months of aging, we hand selected our favorite three barrels from the Duarte Vineyard and one barrel from the Snows Crossing Vineyard for this special reserve Pinot Noir. We specifically selected the barrels that tasted more structured, for a reserve bottling with more body, that will age a bit longer than the single vineyard bottlings.

Aging

Aged in 75% new French Oak and 25% neutral oak for 9 months.

Food Pairing

Pinot noir pairs particularly well with duck, chicken, rabbit, pork, and dishes with mushrooms. Try this one with Chef Lisa's duck confit nachos with plum sauce or coq au vin!

Wine Specs

100% Pinot Noir

14.3% alcohol

98 cases produced

$60 per bottle