Winter Release Flax Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
2023

Winemaker’s Notes

Our new release 2023 Flax Estate Pinot Noir rivals Finn as the richest of the Pinots in this special vintage. Over the course of three evenings, the wine evolved from bright, supple and red fruited through spicy, long and layered, to broad, dark-fruited and generous. The final glass was the most expressive and delicious. Since our vineyard team started farming the site in 2017, quality has soared. These iron-red volcanic soils on a steep hillside overlooking the Russian River itself, naturally provide richness and power. The challenge is to retain elegance while allowing the fruit to embrace its natural generosity. Fortunately, the cool summer and harvest weather in 2023 allowed the vines to find a richness/freshness harmony. Our finest Flax bottling so far, the wine will deepen in complexity over ten to twelve years.

Bright lifted red fruit aromas darken to black cherry and black olive. There are complex elements of licorice, anise, nutmeg, and black tea. The wine has energy and purity with a deeply pitched blackberry fruit core that’s enveloping and resonant. The wine’s mineral spine carries these flavors through to a succulent finish. Drink between 2026 and 2038. Best enjoyed over a couple of evenings - you could gently decant the wine to hasten its development.

Andy Smith