It is incredibly difficult and competitive to source Pinot Noir in the Fort Ross – Seaview AVA on the West Sonoma Coast, making us all the more excited about our now 6 year relationship with this grower, who has given us so much pleasure in, and understanding of Pinot Noir. Yet, the mystery continues to unfold. Every year is like a new chapter in an epic saga. 2014 brought many of the same characteristics as 2013: great aromatics, freshness amidst ripeness and elegant textures. It was fermented in exactly the same way: 100% native yeast, 100% native malo-lactic with no racking until bottling, yet the vintage difference is there. The ‘14 is a little more restrained with a slightly greater quantity of very fine tannins, more forest floor and oolong tea and more spice to balance the exuberant fruit. Still, the site is present; the clones 115 and Old Wente providing the Yin to each other’s Yang.
