At a roughly 900 foot elevation near Philo, Roland and Barbara Wentzel’s10-acre vineyard is organically farmed within an expansive 300+ acre forested property. The particular plot of land that we get our fruit from is called “the clos,” as it is a fenced-in block situated up the hill. The block, made up of Dijon clones, has north-south rows with a north-west orientation, terraced up a steep hillside, so the grapes benefit from the long afternoon sunlight, tempered by cool offshore breezes.
Tasting notes: Four barrels of 2017 Pinot Noir from Wentzel Vineyard yielded 90 cases of this consistently food-friendly wine. Wentzel's steep hillside site surrounded by towering conifer delivers diverse layers of flavor. Showing a brilliant ruby hue in the glass, the nose reveals aromas of black cherry, dried thyme and a touch of vanilla bean pod. On the palate, the bright acidity lifts the fruit, revealing concentrated flavors of cherry coulis, passionfruit and a hint of cardamom in the finish. With
concentration and length, the structure is underpinned by plush tannins.
Details:
Clones: The Clos (field blend of Dijon clones), Lookout Block
(115, 667, 777)
Harvest date: September 15, 2017
Alcohol content: 13.7% by volume
Fruit: 100% whole berry (no stems)
Fermentation: BRL97
Barrel aging: 16 months in French oak, 22.6% new
Finish: unfined, unfiltered
Bottled: February 2019
Production: 90 cases
Drink now through 2027
Suggested Retail Price: $47/bottle (750ml)
Release date: November 2020
Reviews:
94 points, Wine Enthusiast (Oct. 2021): Hints of earth, leather and black tea weave through this delicate, almost soft-textured wine, giving it delicious complexity that builds with each sip and lingers on the finish. It was aged for 16 months in 23% new French barrels for just a touch of oak spice.
