V. Vineyards Pinot Noir Avere Sonoma Stage Petaluma Gap 2022

“The 2022 Pinot Noir is medium ruby-purple in color. Notes of black raspberries, Morello cherries, and redcurrant jelly jump from the glass followed by hints of violets and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate has a solid backbone of fine-grained tannins and refreshing acidity supporting the vibrant red and black berry flavors, finishing long and minerally.”

“Sourced from Sonoma Stage Vineyards in the Petaluma Gap, roughly a 30-acre vineyard planted to Swan and Calera clones. Fermented with 20% stem inclusion and picked slightly riper than the 2022. This vintage has a much darker fruit profile with Bing cherry notes, incense, cedarwood, and rose petals. Medium-bodied with hefty dark-berry fruit that forms a solid foundation layered with brown spices, crushed clove, curry powder and more muscular tannins that hold a firm grip on the palate. It would be great to sample both the 2021 and 2022 side-by-side to see two expressions of the same fruit, one from the cooler, more even 2021 growing season and the riper, warmer 2022 year, which also had reduced yields.”

“Ripe and dried strawberries with orange peel and volcanic salt on the nose. Full and chewy with lots of fine tannins and a slightly chewy mouthfeel. Juicy and savory. Needs time to soften. Best after 2025.”