2016 Renaissance Pinot Noir

 Triptych of 2016 MonoClone® Pinot Noirs

 Sonatera – Renaissance - Forêt

Our most Burgundian of Vintages:
Precise Fruit Concentration and Spice
Seductive Earthy Aromatics - Spiked with Pure Acidity

Where it All Began
Our fascination with the great red Burgundies comes from the singular aromatics and complexities that are born in unique vineyards but a few kilometers apart. It is why we undertook the challenge and risk to focus on each specific clone of Pinot Noir that is best in harmony with each vineyard site – our Single Vineyard, Single Clone, and Single Cooperage wines – MonoClone^®.

We talk about the legendary Burgundies because they are the benchmarks and what inspires and drives our madness. Our dream was simply to be in the conversation one day. As we introduce our 2016 vintage to you, our years of effort are clearly showing up in the glass where it counts. Claude says, “It’s our most Burgundian of vintages,” to which Don noted, “Wait, didn’t you say that already?” His typically Gallic response, “No Don – Pay Attention! I talked about how the 2014’s evolved over an hour like a great Burgundy. This vintage has it all – concentration, aromatics, earthiness and acid – this what we’ve been waiting for.” 

Sonatera is one of those unique vineyard sites that truly exemplifies the Soliste philosophy and style. The hilltop vineyard has three different exposures, facing north, south, and west. This geography funnels brisk marine winds over the vines reducing vigor, extending the ripening period of the grapes, and allowing distinctive aromatics to develop. Once you have tasted Sonatera Pinot Noir, you will always be able to identify its origins.

These wines exemplify the Soliste style and its paradox: Elegant yet intense; focused and complex, powerful and refined. These pinots are each born from the same family but raised as distinct cousins of their own character and personality. Vive la Différence!

RENAISSANCE

We embraced the opportunity and felt that from our original vineyard, we would identify a few rows that would allow us to craft a deeper wine, pressing 50% whole cluster to create more layers without losing what makes Soliste: Elegance.
 

2016 RENAISSANCE MonoClone Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Tasting Notes 

Le Regard / The Look
Scintillating amethyst gemstone in the glass, mineral bricking tones denoting presence of tannins from the whole clusters, highlighting the structure and barrel aged concentration of the wine.

Le Nez / The Nose
Renaissance has a musty fruit-driven bouquet laden with black cherries, cassis, plum compote, ink and graphite. A few swirls and exotic aromas spill out of the glass; an infusion of cardamom, anis, and sage, with chalky minerals become more voluptuous as it opens up. Roast meat drippings and earthy fall foliage with mushroom completes the intoxicating aromas.

Degustation / The Taste
The 2016 Renaissance is a rich, deeply pitched wine crafted on a serious core of dark red fruit, spices, and licorice. The front palate delivers an ultra-pure stoned infused black cherries, boysenberries, and plums, very creamy and unctuous, creating weight in the mouth, spiked with violets, licorice and mint. The mid-palate is infinitely complex as the aromas are tightly wound together; such harmony is rarely seen in Pinot Noir outside Côte-de-Nuits. Dark fruit elixirs are layered with earthy tones, rose petals, cocoa nibs, tea must and dry herbal amaro; a certain result of the whole cluster press. The lightly toasted wood element from the French oak barrels, elevate the wine and balance out the whole cluster extraction creating a light meaty/smoky seasoning for the dark berry compote. As the wine evolves, the taste matures almost as if this wine is 12 years old or more. It has a very similar structure as the 2009 Clos St Jacques from Rousseau. The long mineral finish is very exotic with layers of tart pomegranate which create a wine of great verve, complexity, and density.

I have never tasted a Pinot Noir of such pedigree outside my native Bourgogne. This extraordinary and mystical wine will age magnificently for at least a decade…if you can resist the temptation…I can’t!

2016 Renaissance…The Mystical One.