2022 Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

We have a deep love of Burgundy and new world pinot noir made with a focus on freshness and balance. When we decided to make a Pinot Noir in 2018, we first looked for a site in Mendocino Ridge appellation, but ultimately turned to Oregon when we could not find a good, organic fruit source. In 2019 we found a great source of Pinot Noir in the appellation on the second ridge from the Pacific Ocean. This appellation is also known as Islands in the Sky because the vineyards sit on high elevation ridges above the fog line. There are great sites on the first ridge, but it is often too cold to get consistent results unless you are making sparkling wine. We are also of the mind that Pinot Noir needs to achieve a bit of ripeness (but not too much) so the wine is not green tasting.

We love high elevation vineyards because the nighttime temperatures are relatively warmer and the low diurnal shift creates Pinot Noir with beautiful balance. It allows us to pick the grapes earlier to preserve freshness and create a wine that shows restraint. The 2022 vintage was marked by a very late season at the vineyard which really put us on high alert when we got some high temperatures over 115F. We were able to get the grapes into the winery before a rain came that would have destroyed the crop This wine has a ruby color but with medium light intensity. The nose shows subtle red plum, savory spice, damp earth and anise. This wine always smells like the vineyard. The palate excites with boysenberry and blueberry in the attack and layers of raspberry and red licorice with a frame of lime and slate mineral. It is very delicate on the palate with very fine tannin to support the wine. What we like the most about this wine is the nerve and the freshness. It is also very linear without the huge blockyness or saltyness you see in many California pinot noirs. This wine, like all of our Pinot Noirs will really benefit from a few years of cellaring.

Label Art by Alex Goose