2021 Jensen Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard opens with dense, cake-like aromas that reflect the yields of less than one ton per acre from the oldest vines at this estate site, planted in 1975. Black plum, raspberry and dark spice notes introduce a supple yet sturdy palate, seamlessly transitioning to a slow-moving finish that uncoils to reveal its elegantly bracing tannin structure. It is a lovely combination of commanding power and effortless tenacity.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard is another wine of incredible depth and richness, reflective of the nearly 50-year-old vines on this elevated site (2,200 feet). Though it’s as brawny and aromatically closed as the other 2021s today, it displays sheer seamlessness and textural harmony on the palate. Dried cherry, cinnamon, graphite and white pepper emerge, once again shyly, but an extra measure of savory nuance and juicy freshness here is alluring. It may feel like a sketch of itself today, but in time, the lines will fill in with color, and everything will come to life.

Like the Selleck Vineyard, the 2021 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard was aged in 30% new French oak (18 months), with the balance in neutral barrels. It's a slightly bigger wine than the Selleck and has a beautiful array of red and black fruits as well as some underbrush, chalk, sappy flowers, and some meaty, gamey nuances. These carry to a medium to full-bodied Pinot Noir with terrific overall balance, a focused, elegant mouthfeel, plenty of concentration and density, and a great finish. It's another wine that deserves 3-5 years of bottle age and is going to age brilliantly.