Tasting Notes
Focused purity of fruit, combined with a dense palate and mineral finish – this is the 2018 Mother Rock. Fresh raspberries mingle with blackberry and marionberry. Crisp acidity holds the palate in focus, complementing the elegant tannin. It is fresh, pure and beautiful.
Winemaking Notes
We hand-picked each block and delivered firm, cool clusters to the winery before sunrise. We then hand-sorted and destemmed the fruit before transferring to tank, where eight days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The free run wine was transferred to 67% new French oak for 15 months of aging.
Vintage Notes
2018 was marked by a long and temperate growing season that allowed for an ideal harvest. The Pinot Noir vines began to emerge on March 31st. Annual rainfall was only 37.5 inches, 35% below average, however a large portion of this rain came in April. With spring rain filling the soil profile, the vines were able to thrive in the early growing season and continued to revel in moderate weather through May. Bloom occurred during the first days of June, and an idyllic summer allowed for a long ripening period. With high temperatures between 79 and 82 degrees throughout August, and a moderately cool September, we were able to pick precisely as the fruit reached phenolic ripeness, leading to wonderful tannin texture and exceptional aromatics.
Blocks
3, 11Clones
Dijon 777, Mount Eden
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, April 2020
"The 2018 Pinot Noir Mother Rock is dense, heady and explosive, with tremendous concentration, unctuous sweetness and exceptional balance. Ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, cloves and leather infuse the 2018 with tremendous character. In this range, the Mother Rock stands out for its bright red berry fruit and chalky, white pepper overtones that confer freshness. This is such a gorgeous, arrestingly beautiful wine. I loved it."
