91points
2020 Estate Pinot Meunier
Wine Score
91
Marked by scents of black cherries, button mushrooms and a hint of ripe citrus, the 2020 Pinot Meunier Estate Selection is medium to full-bodied, yet it remains silky and fresh-tasting, with a delicately textured and reasonably long finish. There aren't a lot of varietal Meuniers on the market, and this is an excellent effort, well worth a try.
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Description
Pinot Meunier is a dichotomy; a sip of sunshine and fog at the same time. One day it will be a bright, fresh vision of grace. Think strawberry and pomegranate, perfect for a lively conversation. The next day it will be a brooding, savory wine. Flavors of earthy mushrooms, cinnamon, and blackberry swirl on your palate like clouds on a stormy day. Either way, it’s unique and delicious.
Growing Season
The 2020 growing season will certainly be remembered for years to come. As everyone huddled safely indoors to avoid the pandemic, our grapevines began their growing season by enjoying a dry, warm winter. The beautiful weather continued through Spring and Summer, with excellent ripening conditions allowing for an early harvest.
Vinification
All fruit is hand-harvested at night, preserving berry integrity and cold temperatures. After a 7 day cold soak, fruit is natively fermented in opentop tanks. The wine is then drawn off, and the must is placed in a basket press for gentle pressing. All wines complete malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels. The Meunier blocks are kept on primary lees until bottling to enhance complexity and allow for the finest expression of Carneros.
Tech Sheet
