2020 Merryvale Pinot Noir Stanly Ranch Estate

Winemaking

The fruit for this bottling of Pinot Noir came from our Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard on the Napa side of Carneros. The fruit was hand harvested at night to retain freshness and acidity. The grapes were de-stemmed, with 30% of the stems by weight layered into the fermentation tanks with the grapes. After a 5 day cold soak in tank, the wines began native yeast fermentation. Hand punchdowns, minimal pumpovers, and 50% new French Burgundy barrels combine to create a wine that is deft on the palate, brimming with vibrancy, acidity, and complexity. The wine spent 20 months in French oak barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes

The finest selection of Pinot Noir lots from our Estate on the historic Stanly Ranch, this wine takes it’s influence from Burgundy while respecting the unique Carneros terroir. Aromatically layered with evolving notes of cherries, black tea, and baking spices. On the palate the wine is lush and full but braced by a spine of minerality and acidity. Classic Carneros dark cherry fruit mingles seamlessly with tertiary flavors of underforest and wet stone – a complex but incredibly pleasurable Pinot. Enjoy alone or with a wide range of foods. Drink over the next 5 years.