Spring Release Joy Road Vineyard Pinot Noir
2017

Winemaker’s Notes

Our seventh vintage of Joy Road Vineyard is as vivid an expression of this extreme coastal site as we can visualize. This crunchy, vibrant Pinot is so alive and dynamic, so pure a distillation of the vines that it's completely irresistible. As befits this bottling, it's the most red-fruited Pinot of the vintage - bright, juicy and tantalizing. Above all it's a site-driven wine with vineyard transparency at its core; the aromas, flavors and textures are born out of the vines themselves, not winemaking technique. 

An early, low-cropping year out on the coast produced a level of intensity and vine extract that defines the wine. We harvested the crop just as the fruit flavors were beginning to darken and ultimately produced 18 barrels, selecting the 14 most expressive for bottling.

The wine's aromas soar with fresh raspberry, crunchy red apple skin, pine needle, cranberry and crushed stone with an orange peel vibrancy. Cherry liqueur flavors turn to elderflower with plenty of mid-palate lift and energy, underscored by mineral, baking spices and a deep, exotic saffron edge. The round, evolving mouthfeel is supple and lilting while bergamot tea tannins and youthful acidity extend the finish.

Drink soon after release to enjoy the wine's sheer coastal exuberance or age for five to eight years to allow these elements to dissolve into the wine, providing greater complexity and nuance.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner