2017 WAITS-MAST - Pinot Noir
Wentzel Vineyard, Anderson Valley
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.