2021 Wayfarer Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Pinot Noir ‘Paige’s Ridge’ reveals a concentrated and deep ruby hue in the glass. Displaying the darkest fruit profile of the Wayfarer Block Selections, Paige’s Ridge expresses rich black cherry, crushed black raspberry, bruised violets, anise, fresh-ground cardamom and cocoa powder in a hedonistic mélange. A robust intensity and unctuous texture fills the mouth, with firm but refined tannins providing structure. Fresh acidity imbues lift and poise on the palate, tempering the opulent fruit character to create a well-balanced and harmonious wine that develops with finesse and elegance. Paige’s Ridge is 100% composed of the Pinot Noir clone Dijon 667, known for its dense clusters, small berries and thick skins.

Winemaking Notes

Each block was picked by hand at night, and firm, cool clusters were delivered to the winery before sunrise. We hand-sorted and fully destemmed the fruit before transferring it into oak vats for four days of cold maceration. Fermentation was carried out by native yeast, and we punched the cap down by hand, with the frequency and technique determined by tasting each tank daily. The free run wine aged in 228L French oak barrels, 60% new, for 11 months prior to bottling.

Vintage Notes

Wayfarer's 2022 vintage showcases the tension between a cool growing season and warm harvest. Budbreak came two weeks earlier than average, resulting in an early September harvest. Wayfarer received significant rainfall in the winter months, replenishing the soil, followed by a very dry April and May, which moderated vigor in the vineyard. June rains required diligent canopy management to balance airflow and sunlight, which proved to be essential to both ripen the fruit in a cooler year, and to not overexpose it to heat later in the season. With below-average temperatures in June and July, 2022 was a cool growing season on the Sonoma Coast until the weather warmed significantly during harvest. However, even on the hottest days, Wayfarer experienced a diurnal shift of 30 degrees Fahrenheit, preserving acidity and freshness in the fruit. Due to a series of prior drought years, 2022 was a very low-yielding vintage, with Chardonnay production down 50% and Pinot Noir production down 35%, creating a profound concentration in the wines. The 2022 wines display the luxurious texture and fruit-driven character of a warm harvest with the elegance and vibrancy of a cool growing season.

Blocks

Clones

Dijon 667

Critics

98 Points

Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2024

The 2022 Pinot Noir Paige’s Ridge is outrageously beautiful. Sweet, perfumed, and exceptionally gorgeous, the 2022 soars out of the glass with breathtaking aromatic intensity. The 2022 is pliant and layered in feel, with stunning balance.

96 Points

Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck, June 2024

Coming from a vineyard with an east-facing slope and all from the Pinot Noir Dijon 667 clone, the 2022 Pinot Noir Paige's Ridge reveals lovely, ripe notes of fresh spices, a hint of cedar, framboise, and wildflowers. Medium-bodied, it reveals lots of purity and ripe energy, with lovely freshness, a refined tannin structure, and a lovely mineral undercurrent. It has a lot of focus and will only improve as it ages at a slow pace over the coming 15 years.

94+ Points

Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate, March 2024

The 2022 Pinot Noir Paige’s Ridge is aromatically complex, blossoming from strawberry and raspberry preserves to accents of mushrooms, leather and amaro. The light-bodied palate is silky and ethereal with vibrant acidity, detailed flavors and a long, spicy finish. It will benefit from 2-3+ years in bottle.

94 Points

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, September 2024

Very enticing, with dark mulberry and blackberry compote notes that are both juicy and caressing, with suave black tea, sandalwood and licorice snap details swirling on the finish. For the hedonist crowd. Drink now through 2034.