2019 Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir

92 Points |  Wine Spectator

5 Stars - Restaurant Wine - "The 2019 Manzana is an elegant, velvety Pinot Noir of outstanding quality. It is full bodied, subtle but rich in flavor (rose petal, cherry, clove, raspberry, cedar, oak), with fine balance, and a very long, persistent finish. Drinks well now, but likely even better in 2024."

THE VINEYARD 

Dutton Ranch farms more than 80 separate vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The Manzana Vineyard is primarily planted to Dijon clones and a bit of Pommard, but for this wine, we only use 115 and 828. Manzana roughly 20 acres of eastern-facing sloping vineyard. The original owners of Manzana Products sold the land to Dutton Ranch, who then honored Manzana Products, and the area's history to apples, with the name Manzana Vineyard. 

THE WINEMAKING

Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir is a clonal blend of 115 and 828, capturing all the best aspects of a true cool-climate Pinot Noir. As a clonal blend, the fruit was harvested in two passes to achieve optimal ripeness. It was cold-soaked for 3 days and punched down once daily during the cold soak period. Each lot was aged separately in 50% new French oak and blended later.

TASTING NOTES 

This Pinot Noir has deep earth notes on the nose, complemented by spices such as clove and cinnamon. The palate presents subtle flavors of plump fruits like ripe cherry and blackberry that mingle with the baking spices from the palate. The acid levels add a tart edge to the flavors, rounding out the wine on the palate. The Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir would stand up to meats like pork or a "gamey" fish like salmon or swordfish. This wine would also age well with another year in the bottle.