2020 Alder Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir
Incredible aromatics of blueberry, cassis, dried wild herbs, chocolate, forest floor along with black cherry and Five Spice Powder. Fine grain, densely packed tannins, expand into a creamy, dense but succulent texture that carries layers of flavors to the elegant finish. Like many of the greatest vintages from Alder Springs, this offering promises a long, fascinating evolution in the cellar.
The year began with a very dry winter, leaving some vineyards with reduced water for the growing season. This translated into smaller berries, adding extra intensity to the aromas and flavors of the 2020 wines. The harvest at Patz & Hall wrapped up in late September, making it the earliest end of picking in my 30+ years of winemaking. Though 2020 produced record small yields, the quality was remarkable, with most vineyards producing wines of depth, intensity, and dramatic concentration. The Chardonnays are showing intricate aromatics and deep flavors while the Pinot Noirs show very dark and concentrated flavors with developed tannins. Overall, I’m very pleased with the strength and vitality of the 2020 wines and believe they have a long life ahead in the cellar.
Defined by its high elevation and low vigor uplifted marine soils, Alder Springs Vineyard sustains tiny vines with equally tiny clusters and berries. Located about 11 miles from the Pacific, with some blocks as high as 2,600 ft., Alder Springs exists on the edge of what is possible for cool-climate winegrowing. When we bottle an Alder Springs Vineyard wine, it is something rare and special. This wine comes from one of the vineyard’s finest Pinot Noir blocks in 2020: Helms Field made up of Dijon Clones, California Heirloom selections and Selection Massale selections made by Stu Bewley from his extensive nursery of mother vines.
40% new (60% 1 year old) Burgundian French oak barrels- all three-year aged staves
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
This wine is Vegan and Vegetarian
- Type:
- Red
- Varietal:
- Pinot Noir
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Mendocino
- Vintage:
- 2020
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- Multi-yeast fermentations (wild & cultured); 100% Malo-lactic fermentation in barrel