2012 Bergström Pinot Noir Slice
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Tasting notes
The vineyard was renamed Silice in 2012 to reflect changes in both the ownership of Bergstrom (while it has always been family owned, now two pairs of the Bergstrom family own it: Josh Bergstrom and his wife, and his parents; previously his siblings were also partial owners) and the style of the winemaking. In 2012 Josh also began incorporating whole cluster and has increased the proportion each vintage since while also reducing the proportion of new oak. Less than 20% new oak. Between 20 and 50% stem inclusion. Nuanced while subdued aromatics currently. Bursting flavourful palate. A mix of red and purple fruits with some chocolate notes accented by a mix of citrus – clementine and grapefruit – throughout and a natural spice. Good persistence and nice complexity. Greater freshness than previous vintages but still a rich close of flavour. Lightly tactile tannins and balancing acidity with a savoury backbone from tip to tail. (ECB)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Silice Vineyard was known as de Lancellotti until the 2011 (the reason was that it was owned by Josh's sister and he wanted the name to reflect its distinct sandy soils.) A large proportion of fruit tends to be lost due to grilled berries because of the reflected heat. There is a palpable warmth that comes through on the nose that does not quite possess the precision of the Winery Block '12 at present. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, well-judged acidity, a pleasant saline character developing toward the finish that is quite assertive compared to the others, a Pinot determined to make an impression. I would just like to see a little more nuance developing in bottle.
Vivid ruby-red. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied red fruits, spicecake and incense, with a smoky mineral quality emerging with aeration. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, showing sweet black raspberry and rose pastille flavors and a touch of five-spice powder. Closes sappy and very long, with silky tannins lending grip. This fruit was sourced entirely from the de Lancellotti vineyard, which is owned by Josh Bergstrom's sister, Kendall, and her husband, Paul de Lancellotti.