2022 Wilson Vineyard Pinot Noir, West Sonoma Coast

Wilson Vineyard was planted in 2001 and is just down the road from Whistler Vineyard. However, it is a very different site on a steep hillside with shallow top soils over Franciscan bedrock. The shallow, poor soil results in low yields and a wine that is bold and rich with structured tannins. The wine boasts a rich nose of red cherry, plum, violets, rose petals, black tea, and candied fruits, with notes of clove and pepper. The wine is powerful, yet velvety with soft, ripe tannins and a long finish of red fruits and spices. The intensity of a low-yield vintage clearly shows through here. As in years past, the Wilson is bolder and more fruit forward than the Whistler. The grapes clusters were all destemmed, as we find the Wilson fruit is more expressive without stem inclusion during fermentation. The wine was aged in all French oak with 25% new.