2016 Mount Eden Vineyards 'Estate Bottled' Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA (750ml)

93 pts. - Wine Enthusiast 

WINEMAKER'S NOTES:

As the 2015-2016 winter season settled upon us, our five-year drought began to end with normal (a little above-normal) rainfall and we breathed a sigh of relief.  When your vineyard practice is 100% dry farmed, the onus of low rainfall can set you on edge. The of joy knowing that the one thing you can’t really control in life (rain) is abundant is true elation.

Pinot Noir is such an intriguing wine, often changing “styles” from vintage to vintage. Usually our Estate Pinot is broad and somewhat muscular; this vintage is ethereal and musical with delicate, nuanced, soft red fruit aromas. The weight on the palate is building with enticing flavors of wintergreen, mint, and boysenberry.  Years like 2016 reward patient cellaring. Prime examples such as 1996, 2000 and 2006 have all started their life focused on complexity rather than power. With time, the mid-palate grows and the magical savoriness of Pinot Noir shines.