2023 Bearwallow Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Continuing on the greatness of the 2022 and amping it up a notch, the 2023 Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard is from Massale clones grown in the deepest end of the appellation's Deep End, where the ocean looms and the grapes hung a long time, building cohesion and finesse. Tightly wound, the wine has years to go but already exhibits an ethereal nature of medium-bodied delicacy within a core of subtle power. Soy, forest floor, cardamom, and pennyroyal accent the layered palate of earthy minerality, with bursts of red and blue berry fruit. This is so good; enjoy best 2028-2038.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard is richly layered with black tea, rosewater, exotic spice tones and red cherry fruit. Vinified with entirely destemmed fruit and aged in neutral oak, the 2023 feels a little nervy in its acids today, but that helps to energize some of its palate weight and propel the wine across the finish line. There’s real power under the hood here, nicely integrated into a mid-weight frame.
A highly structured wine with a core of acidity and minerality surrounded by plump red fruit and finishing with abundant tannins. Clearly built for aging. Drink from 2027.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard offers a floral and red-fruited aroma and is noticeably less savory and earth-driven than the newly introduced Clarke Vineyard from northern Mendocino County. On the palate, it provides a graceful, medium-bodied feel with a balanced mix of understated power and lively energy, ending with subtly assertive tannins and a long, nuanced finish, highlighted by black tea and anise undertones woven into a lush core of dark fruits.