2023 Estate Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES
Fresh and approachable, the Estate Pinot Noir captures the classic character of Carneros Martini Clone Pinot Noir, which is to say a delicate, pretty wine with a medium body, fresh acidity, and beguiling intricacy. Hungarian oak adds a warm spice and earth component to the fruit’s classic rose petal aromas and red cherry flavors, with whole cluster stem contact adding herbal and tea leaf notes. 

HISTORY
Poseidon Vineyard, located at the confluence of Carneros Creek and the Napa River, was planted in 1973 by the Molnar Family to the Burgundian varietals: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The maritime environment of the Carneros grape-growing season delivers cool, foggy mornings followed by warm days that slowly nurture ripening.

VINTAGE 2023
Back to back years of ample rains replenished vines that had been struggling from many years of drought. This was generally great news for our vineyards and environment, and brought balanced flavors to the grapes. The pervasive breezy conditions at this seaside site ensured no concerns of mildew or botrytis despite the moisture throughout the season.

WINEMAKING
Our Estate Pinot Noir is primarily sourced from Martini clone Pinot Noir, with one small lot of Pommard 5 clone. The fruit was harvested by hand and fermented separately, 10% whole cluster. As soon as the fermentations were complete, the wines were pressed gently and aged in Kádár Tokaj oak, 80% in 300-liter barrels and 20% in a single 3,000-liter upright oval cask. These oversized vessels add the signature spiciness of Hungarian oak to the blend at lower 
concentrations than standard barrels, complementing the fruit character while retaining the pure, fruit-filled expression of Pinot Noir. Aged on lees and racked only once before bottling to add weight and complexity.

Alex Beloz, Winemaker