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Ernest Pinot Noir

 

Ok, we spoke to soon, let's call it a tie?  We touted Alta heights a couple of weeks ago as our POTY (Pinot of the Year), but then, we tasted Ernest Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot shortly after for the first time.  

There is room at the top of the list for both of these wines.  

They both have absolutely floored us.  While the Alta Heights offered up that pure, supple, creamy, refined, red fruited spicy mountain elevation feel; the Ernest resembles some of this, but touches more on the dark red, blue and black fruit character along with classic savory notes of earthy & cocoa that are often found in Sonoma Coast pinots.  The Ernest offers a bit more of a bass note and body, a bit more structure, while remaining ethereal, beautiful, balanced, and refined.  These two bottles offer up a side by side comparison of the classic faces of California pinot when grown in conditions that are close to the foggy ocean coast and mountain elevations.  

Ernest Vineyards is located out on the true Sonoma Coast, they own and lease 5 vineyards sites that span across 34 acres in the Freestone-Occidental ridge area, one of the more extreme cool-climate areas of the Western Sonoma Coast.  All of their vines are farmed organically, and their farming and winemaking are top notch.

This is the first time that Ernest has been on our radar, and we're really excited to have found such a great Pinot Noir for the money!

Another absolute steal at under $30!

94 Pts: Decanter: Like its Chardonnay sibling, the Ernest Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is sourced from a blend of estate and neighbouring vineyards, with approximately one-third of the fruit coming from their own sites. Red and blue fruits mix with savoury notes and a thread of fresh-cut herbs. The palate is deep and flavorful without excess weight, grounded by structured tannins, and lifted by bright acidity. It’s a Pinot with real presence, but a coastal verve. 

92 Vinous: The 2023 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is terrific. Rich and generous in the glass, with tons of savory nuance, the 2023 is a wonderfully complete wine. Cedar, dried herbs, new leather, tobacco and incense wrap around the palate. A healthy dose of stems (33%) adds complexity, but it’s the wine's balance I admire most. 

We are offering 10% off of 6, and 20% off of 12 bottles!
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