2018 West Ridge Estate Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
One of the more lightly colored Pinot Noirs in the lineup, the 2018 Pinot Noir West Ridge has a translucent ruby color to go with a more subtle nose of ripe mulled cherries, dried flowers, savory herbs, and a touch of marine-like minerality and iodine. More round, supple, and elegant on the palate, it still brings plenty of ripe tannins, terrific overall balance, and just a charming, interesting, satisfying style. My money is on it benefiting from another year or two of bottle age and keeping for a solid decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate West Ridge is soft and gracious, yet retains the nervousness and translucence that runs through the 2018s here. Deceptive in its mid-weight feel, the 2018 possesses striking depth. Sweet red cherry, red plum, spice, new leather and cedar all flesh out. Vibrant and intensely mineral, the West Ridge is compelling. The core of West Ridge is a Block 7, which is planted with Mt. Eden Clone planted in 1990 that are now heavily virused and therefore naturally produce a small crop.
The 2018 Pinot Noir West Ridge opens with touches of leather and angostura bitters over a core of bright red berry fruit and citrus peel. The light-bodied palate offers firm, fresh, crunchy fruits with loads of spicy accents, and it finishes long.