2016 Le Moulin Rouge Pinot Noir

Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Le Moulin Rouge Pisoni Vineyard is scented of baked redcurrant, cranberry pie and blackberries with hints of menthol, underbrush, truffles and new leather. The palate is medium-bodied, plush and spicy in the mouth, with plenty of juicy fruit and a refreshing lift on the finish. 455 cases produced.

From vines planted in 1990 (from the La Tâche clone), the 2016 Pinot Noir Le Moulin Rouge is another great, great wine from this estate. It’s just loaded with notions of ripe strawberries, vanilla bean, spice, and flowers, and has sensational complexity and nuance. Deep, rich, full-bodied, yet weightless and elegant on the palate, it has a perfect blend of richness and elegance, with a blockbuster length. It needs 2-4 years of bottle age but is a sensational wine. Located north of Napa Valley, in the Knights Valley AVA of Sonoma, Peter Michael utilizes the incredible talent of Frenchman Nicolas Morlet (whose brother Luc runs Morlet Estate in Napa, and was previously the winemaker at Peter Michael). These classic, traditionally made wines certainly have an old world feel/style, yet never lose their California soul. They produce two brilliant Bordeaux Blanc look-alikes, a bevy of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and three Bordeaux blends. It can be a complex lineup to wrap your head around, but the cuvees show singular characters and the quality is off the charts.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Le Moulin Rouge, from Pisoni, in the Santa Lucia Highlands, is the only Pinot in this range that is made from a non-estate vineyard. Inky red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, rose petal, cola and sweet spice all flesh out effortlessly. Powerful and racy, as all these Pinots are, the Moulin Rouge has plenty to offer. I would prefer to drink it on the earlier side, while the fruit is vibrant.