95 Points James Suckling
This fresh and medium-bodied wine is complex and intriguing, with appealing aromas of redwood forest, rose petals and grilled herbs. Wild berry flavors integrate with juicy tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Notes of bergamot and herb tea linger in the long finish. Good value. Drink now.
91 Points Vinous
Black tea, dried red cherry, orange peel and dusty florals open beautifully as the 2023 Pinot Noir (Mendocino County) coasts across the palate. Savory herbs and white pepper nuances from the 15% whole clusters add further complexity as gentle tannins perk up on the finish. It's an excellently balanced, supple, mid-weight Pinot that vastly overdelivers at its price point.
Winemaker Note
We're gonna go on record and say it: this wine is ONE OF ONE. There simply is not another Mendocino Pinot Noir being bottled today that claims such a wide range of vineyard sources. This wine spans the entire county from Potter Valley (interior) to Comptche (far coast). As such, it may be the first time we can assess the true "characteristics of place" for Mendocino. Like the 2023 before it, the '24 installment is infused with an exciting new source in the heavily forested, near-coast hamlet of Comptche. The Comptche lots were blended with stalwarts from the Anderson Valley, The Cole Ranch, and the Potter Valley. The AV component adds characteristic purple berry/red floral notes. The Cole Ranch piece contributes a pleasing grip/structure. And the Potter Valley piece provides the high tones in the wine, care of some rare Beaujolais-Clone Pinot Noir. We feel this wine from disparate but essentially Mendocino ranches blends out to give a wide aperture view of this wild, evergreen county, and make an authentic expression of Mendocino Pinot Noir.
