This vineyard faces northeast, so it’s a cooler site that gets morning sun, which means it gets more solar ripening than heat ripening, preserving natural acidity in spades. The wine received a 30% whole cluster fermentation treatment and finished at 13.4% alcohol. The result is a glassful of cherry, cranberry, umami, rich oak spice, vibrant acidity and subtle stemmy character that gives the fruit and spice good push in the finish. An impressive first taste of the producer!
Baxter Winery, Mendocino Ridge (Mendocino County, California) Pinot Noir 2014
By Rich Cook