Fall Release Finn Pinot Noir
2011

Winemaker’s Notes

Our new Finn bottling offers complexity on a grand scale. With grape material like this we can stand back and allow the vineyard sites to shine – there’s minimal winemaking technique involved, just the patience to allow the young wines to develop at their own steady pace. My tasting notes are dominated by words such as: extract, power, body, structure and density, but also: taut, precision, acidity, poise and balance. This is not a wine that sacrifices elegance and nuance for pure concentration, but one that beautifully blends these elements into a complete whole. There’s definite tannic strength to the pulsating finish, which sails on and on, yet it’s absorbed by the natural vine extract these vineyards produced. The wine is immediately impressive for it youthful richness and depth but its inherent complexity and nuance is held in reserve, lurking in the background and will come forth with time – so don’t drink it too early. It’s a unique expression that firmly transcends this uneven vintage, but is most reminiscent of our excellent 2005 Finn bottling which we consider one of the finest Pinots we’ve ever released – which should tell you a great deal about this wine.

Brilliant deep rose color. Deep, rich aromas: sweet dark berries, kirsch, black olive, truffle and brown spices. Turns to leather, cocoa and juniper complexity with air. Wave after wave of intense penetrating fruit and savory complexity open the palate – dominant black cherry flavor, inner mouth violet character, orange zest and sandalwood notes. Pure, concentrated and delicious. Youthful structured finish is long and layered with firm acid tension and cut. Drink between 2014 and 2022.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner