2021 “The Bench” Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES
“The Bench” Pinot Noir showcases the most aromatic and and full-bodied lots, yet the structure is elegant, silky and light on its feet. The old-vine Martini Clone vines exhibit a classic delicacy, with aromas of rose petals and fresh cherries, and lush flavors of raspberry and pomegranate with tea leaf and vanilla accents. A graceful wine, complex, intricate, and irresistable.

HISTORY
Poseidon Vineyard, located at the confluence of Carneros Creek and the Napa River, was planted in 1973 by the Molnar Family to the Burgundian varietals: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The maritime environment of the Carneros grape-growing region delivers cool, foggy mornings followed by warm days that slowly nurture ripening. This seaside influence is particularly acute on our estate, where one can see the masts of boats bobbing in the water just a few steps to the south. The prominent feature of our vineyard is the gravelly, geological “Bench”—the elevated, rocky, former riverbank of Carneros Creek—that runs serpentine through the center of the site. From this unique geological feature spring some of our most distinct, small-production wines.

VINTAGE 2021
The season began early with dry conditions, leading to very small bunches and berries that ripened well ahead of the average schedule. A vintage marked by very small yields and high flavor concentration and quality.

WINEMAKING
The three sections of our two-acre “Bench” from our Poseidon Vineyard are harvested and fermented and aged separately in 100% Hungarian oak barrels, 20% new. The wine is a barrel selection of only the most highly aromatic, bright, lively and elegant barrels. We rack this Pinot Noir only once before bottling to maintain the pure fruit expression.

Alex Beloz, Winemaker