Fall Release Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
2011

Winemaker’s Notes

Our Estate vineyard was the standout performer of the 2011 vintage and this wine displays all the natural concentration and complexity of the site in this unusually cool vintage. We made many different small lot wines from the vineyard in 2011 but this bottling represents the best of the best – the most intense, structured and complex lots. The more fruit-driven lots make up an important part of the RRV bottling. The wine is extremely evocative of the site – it has a strong and clear ‘vineyard signature’ that beautifully balances complex aromatics with red and black fruit notes and earthy/truffle elements. As the wine opens it really ‘pops’ on the palate and expands substantially with air in the glass becoming broad and deep with the perfect amount of palate weight. With its sassafras/dried fruit complexity, the wine is not just sweet fruit alone and it has the most structure and length of any of our 2011 Pinots. There is no urgency to open these bottles and you will see even greater complexity and palate length develop with five to eight years in bottle as the truffle and autumnal elements assert their authority.

Brilliant deep ruby color. Aromas open slowly to dried cherry, violet, wild berries and blueberry. Complex fennel, sage, spice and sandalwood notes. Raspberry/cassis core on the palate with herbal sassafras and a cocoa/nutmeg edge. Inner mouth floral elements with apple skin freshness and crisp acidity. Rising chewy finish shows licorice and anise notes. Drink between 2014 and 2022.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner