2019 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Sweetwater Vineyard
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Tasting notes
A complex and expressive nose presents notes of red currant, rose petal, herbal tea, spice and a suggestion of blue pinot fruit. There is good size, weight and punch to the attractively textured and tautly muscular medium weight flavors that conclude in a compact, serious and sneaky long finale. This is still very much on the way up and I would advise cellaring it for at least another 4 to 8 years. *Outstanding*
Critic scores
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
More mulled strawberries, black raspberries, wildflowers, toasted spice, and integrated, classy oak emerge from the 2019 Pinot Noir Sweetwater, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, flawless balance, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It doesn't match the borderline perfect 2018, but it has all the hallmarks of a magical Pinot Noir: purity, balance, elegance, complexity, and richness. Don't miss it!
Pale ruby-purple, the 2019 Pinot Noir Sweetwater Vineyard takes some time to open to blackberries, cranberry sauce, earth, tobacco and tea leaf aromas, gaining top notes of citrus and potpourri with time in the glass. The palate is grainy, super fresh and layered, with a fan of spices carrying the long finish. It feels young and will benefit from another year or two in bottle.
The 2019 Pinot Noir Sweetwater is laced with crushed red berry, spice, leather, licorice and dried flowers. Attractive floral and savory notes give the Sweetwater lovely aromatic complexity and tons of nuance. Like all of these wines, the Sweetwater is understated and classy to the core. The Sweetwater emerges from the highest part of the property and is planted in 1999 with a clonal selection of Wente that dates back to the late 1960s. (AG)