Cuvaison, Los Carneros – Napa Valley (California) Pinot Noir 2019

Winemaker Steven Rogstad says that a dozen different clones of Pinot Noir grown in Cuvaison’s cool-climate Carneros vineyards went into their 2019 Pinot.  The grapes are harvested by hand, sorted by hand, then sorted yet again by a more precise optical sorter.  The grapes are fermented for about two weeks then sent to barrels to rest for eleven months.  Rogstad notes that their Pinot usually has a blend of red and black fruit, but 2019 was a warm year, so the dark fruits prevail.  I found delightful, savory aromas mingling with the cherry, blackberry fruit aromas.  In the mouth, the wine was very smooth with beautifully integrated red and black fruits mingling with vanilla notes.  Enjoy it with grilled fresh salmon or mushroom risotto.