2014 Nouveau Monde Pinot Noir

Introducing the 2014 Vintage

A Definitive Release of Compelling MonoClone^® Pinot Noirs

In 2005 we made our first Pinot Noir from the family vineyard (only 143 cases produced, that’s it!); Located in a unique site we believed would enable us to craft wines with a style that might satisfy our infatuation for the great Burgundies that we love. In 2009, from the same site, we challenged ourselves to make our Pinot Noirs from single vineyard, single clone, and allocate a single cooperage (barrel maker) from France to deliver uncompromised focus to each wine. The MonoClone® was born and we registered the trademark to protect our beliefs.

Having said that, we did not become stubborn about the MonoClone or infatuated by the idea, the wines had to deliver. If they did not, we would have gone back to blending the clones. Our MonoClone focus has produced compelling wines, and so here we are, almost a decade later enjoying unique, compelling wines – all so different but sharing the same commitment to elegance, length, and complexity. Vive la différence!

2014 had a moderate winter resulting in an earlier start to the vintage. We enjoyed a cool spring and a good fruit set. Overall it was a temperate, gentle growing season that helped to nurture complexity, length, and concentration along with quality and consistency both in and among our vineyards. While the persistent drought was concerning in some areas, our cool, coastal sites remained unaffected.

We selected these three specific MonoClone Pinot Noirs side by side, because they illustrate best our quest for crafting wines of great range and personality. All born and raised under the same roof, but they could not be more different; as siblings they complement each other. This is why we make Pinot!

2014 Nouveau Monde MonoClone Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Tasting Notes 

Le Regard / The Look
The purest of ruby clarity and brilliance in the glass, very crystalline. 

Le Nez / The Nose
Superb concentration of red fruits (raspberries, red currants, red tart cherries, and pomegranate) layered with jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla, exotic spices interlaced with high floral tones. Sensual, intoxicating, precise.

Degustation / The Taste
The first taste is wonderfully sweet and energetic, enveloping the palate with raspberry liqueur, red currant compote, fatty vanilla, floral tones accented with mulling spices, and light cedar. Very rarely is a first taste so perfect without decanting. The mid-palate is voluptuous, very silky, with precise layers of dried raspberries, cranberries, and pomegranate lifted by violets and toasted dry sage. Creamy and structured in texture that benefits from a huge dollop of dry extract that pushes the very fine tannic spine to the background on the explosive and youthfully bright acid finish that possesses genuinely outstanding length.

2014 has produced the best Nouveau Monde to date.