Great Pinot Noir has that pure core of cherry fruit the grape is know for. It is surounded, nuanced and accentuated with other aromas and flavors, but the fruit core is the driving element. You might get a warm, earthy note such as in the wines from Burgundy, Orgeon and other places. There could be some spice. Some berry fruit could come along for the ride. Like any varietal on the planet variations abound and are what makes wine so special. Still, at the end of the day it is all about the fruit.
Here is a Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast AVA, and the 2020 vintage. Many wineries did not make wine that year due to the widespread fires and smoke taint which resulted. This winery did, and it is an excellent example of a fruit driven Pinot Noir.
Wine: 2020 Eden Dale Pinot Noir San Giacomo Vineyard
Winery Location: Sonoma, California
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: April 2024
Tasting Notes: This is a medium dark, ruby red in color, with a nose of lean cherry fruit. At first I got a bit of smoke and was worried this was another wine shadowed by the legacy of the 2020 fires, but that blew off fairly quickly. The result was a rich wine with a pure core of cherry fruit, accentuated with red berries. The juice is medium bodied, well balanced and finished very long. It is simply delicous, and an excellent example of top Sonoma Pinot Noir.
Price Point – SRP of $50, but we paid less on sale.
Would We Buy It? – yes, we did bring home a few bottles.
When you try a top shelf Pinot Noir and experience that beautiful fruit, you can understand why many people consider the varietal their favorite. This a good one.
A votre santé
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