2018 Mother Rock Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
A co-fermentation of Mount Eden and Dijon clones. Hand-picked clusters delivered to the winery before sunrise. Fruit hand-sorted and destemmed before transfer to tank where five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% ambient-yeast fermentation. The free-run wine was transferred to French oak (67% new) for 15 months. Mid crimson. Hint of rather subtle malt on the nose. Wonderfully smooth texture. Again it’s sweet but not overpoweringly so. Fine tannins and some sweetness on the end but a little minerality too. (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Pinot Noir Mother Rock has a medium ruby color an alluring perfume of blood orange, lilac, garrigue, boysenberries and dried cranberries, more and more nuances arriving with time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is a wonderland of flavor layers supported by ripe tannins and loads of juicy acidity, finishing very long with intense, kaleidoscopic flavors. What a beauty!
Brought up in 67% new French oak, the 2018 Pinot Noir Mother Rock has more mineral-laced, cassis, black raspberry, toasted spice, graphite, and violet aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and pure, with silky tannins and a magical texture, it shows incredible purity of fruit as well as flawless balance. This is one of the finest Pinot Noir I was able to taste for this report, and it's going to evolve beautifully for a solid 8-10 years.
The 2018 Pinot Noir Mother Rock is dense, heady and explosive, with tremendous concentration, unctuous sweetness and exceptional balance. Ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, cloves and leather infuse the 2018 with tremendous character. In this range, the Mother Rock stands out for its bright red berry fruit and chalky, white pepper overtones that confer freshness. This is such a gorgeous, arrestingly beautiful wine. I loved it .