2021 Karmen Isabella Pinot Noir

93 Points - The Tasting Panel & The Somm Journal

"Rose petals, freshly picked strawberries, and candied apples unite for a creamy, sweet tobacco, and mocha earthiness. The textural bliss of this ripe red is enhanced by a juicy core, with plum and baking spices gliding alongside floral notes on the finish."

91 Points - Planet Grape Wine Review

"Full, bright, juicy and dry with notes of raspberry, cherry, blackberry, pink rose, sage leaf and cedar."

5 Stars - Restaurant Wine

"The 2021 Karmen Isabella (which is made with grapes from three Green Valley vineyards)—an exceptional wine, and a great value. It is full bodied and medium rich, with fine balance, modest tannin, and a firm long finish, tasting of cherry, red currant, strawberry, rose petal and oak. Still young; warrants further aging."

THE VINEYARDS 

Dutton Ranch farms more than 80 separate vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Our vineyards are certified Sonoma County Sustainable Farm Friendly. Each vineyard that contributed to this vintage played an important role in the overall flavor and complexity in this wine. The Green Valley Vineyard provides dark, richly flavored fruit, the Campbell Vineyard adds earthy notes and acidity, and the Manzana Vineyard lends red fruit and cherry cola aromas. Karmen Isabella is part of our Sisters Selection, named for Joe and Tracy's youngest daughter. This wine embodies Karmen Isabella, "old soul" of the family, with its quiet complexity and depth of flavor.

THE WINEMAKING 

This wine required multiple night-time passes in the vineyard, each lot fermented separately to extract ideal flavors. It was cold-soaked for 3 days and punched down once daily during the cold soak period. Punch downs and pump overs occurred up to three times daily during primary fermentation, The wine was then blended and aged in 50% new French oak.

TASTING NOTES 

The Karmen Isabella Pinot Noir captures the best of vineyards from which we source. The nose evokes fresh strawberries and tart cherries with a nuanced earthy note of cedar. The aromas are pleasantly light, not overpowering the senses, which make this a food friendly wine. On the palate, the wine is smooth and long lasting with a medium tannic structure. Flavors evolve into deeper, ripe red fruit alongside hints of baking spices. Highly approachable for food pairings, this Pinot Noir would match well with mushroom tartlets, pork chops, and cedar plank roasted salmon.