Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023
92 Points - James Suckling | This is a juicy, red-fruited, whole-cluster pinot with lifted aromas of red cherries, dried herbs, spice, red apples and pencil shavings. The palate is bright and crunchy, with a rounded mouthfeel and finely tuned tannins. Such a lovely, fruit-driven wine with a savory undertone. Drink or hold."
91 Points, Gold - Sunset International Wine Competition | Strawberry; good oak integration; bright acid balance"
91 points - Wine Enthusiast | Whole Cluster, I think I love you. Your blackberry and pain au chocolat aromas are like the continental breakfast of my dreams. The culinary theme continues on the palate as flavors of marionberries and caffe latte mix with a savory grilled mushroom note. Pair the Whole Cluster with a Sunday brunch.
90 points - Jeb Dunnuck | Pouring a medium red color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Whole Cluster offers attractive aromas of spice and notes of cedar, clove, baked cherries, and forest earth. Medium-bodied, it has nice balance on the palate, with ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and an elegant finish. It should drink well over the next 4-5 years.
Winemaker Description
Years ago, Founder Jim Bernau began experimenting with Pinot Noir by gently dropping hand-picked whole clusters in a chilled stainless fermenter, pushing all the oxygen out with CO2 and sealing the vessel tight. What happened next was magical — the berries started to swell and turn pink. When they burst, they released the most aromatic, fermenting Pinot Noir.
The stylistic vision of this wine captures pure Pinot Noir fruit with beautiful depth and structure through whole cluster fermentation and carbonic maceration. The wine is balanced, refreshing and versatile for countless food pairings.
On the Nose: Ruby red in the glass with aromas of dried dark cherries, cinnamon and cranberry.
On the Palate: The palate is dry with fresh acidity, a light body and integrated tannins. Cherry, leather and tobacco add rich fruit notes, creating a juicy and layered flavor to the Pinot Noir. Drink now as a young wine or age in the bottle.
Food pairing: Our most versatile Pinot Noir for food pairings, this wine lends itself well to sweet and tangy barbecue, pizza with red sauce, teriyaki short ribs, gourmet burgers and cedar-planked salmon. Try serving slightly chilled on a warm summer evening.
Peak Drinkability: 2024 - 2028
Memo Summary Notes
This is a unique, "un-oaked" expression of Pinot Noir. It is famous for its bright, "explosive" fruit profile, achieved through a specific winemaking technique called carbonic maceration.
Whole Cluster Fermentation: Instead of crushing the grapes, hand-picked whole clusters are placed into a CO2-filled stainless steel tank. Fermentation begins inside each individual berry, which creates the wine's characteristic "cherry candy" and floral aromatics.
This wine is best served slightly chilled (around 13–15°C or 55–60°F) to enhance its fruit-forward energy.
Its high versatility makes it a favorite for sweet and tangy BBQ, sushi, spicy Indian curry, or cedar-planked salmon. It’s also one of the few reds that pairs perfectly with a gourmet burger or a Margherita pizza.
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