2016 Wayfarer Pinot Noir
Mother Rock

Tasting Notes

This deep ruby-colored cuvée of Pinot Noir clones 37 and Dijon 777 is named for the sandstone substrate that runs under our Wayfarer Vineyard, urging our vines to burrow deeply into the distinctive terrain below. Red fruit aromas of strawberry and Bing cherry interweave with hints of violet, rhubarb and spice, accented by notes of minerality. The entry on the palate is soft and focused, with flavors of raspberry, boysenberry, and mint chocolate. Well-integrated tannins support the fruit characters over a lingering finish. Allow this wine to rest in the cellar, as it will age beautifully over the next 3+ years.

Winemaking Notes

In the pre-dawn hours, the fruit was hand-picked and hand-sorted. We de-stemmed and hand-sorted again, before transferring the berries to tank where five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed and its free-run juice was transferred to 67% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.

Vintage Notes

The 2016 vintage showcases elegance and purity of fruit, as the growing season shifted to a more normal time frame after the previous three vintages encountered an early start. The growing season began with above-normal temperatures that eased into more moderate June weather. A minor heat spell in the last days of August and into the first of September brought the vines out of their slow,
methodical ripening.

When the temperature increased, extra care was taken by the vineyard team. Multiple passes through the vineyard paid off—we harvested each block of our Wayfarer Vineyard at peak ripeness, for wines with vibrant fruit and balanced acidity.

Blocks

Clones

37, Dijon 777