2018 Vespidae Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Organic. Fruit sourced from: 60% Temperance Hill (39-year-old vines), 40% St Dolores Estate (11-year-old vines). Ambient-yeast fermentation in stainless steel, then barrel-aged for 17 months: 20% new, 23% once used, 57% older barrels. Bottled, unfined and unfiltered, in March 2020. pH 3.6. 807 cases produced. Medium ruby in color. Blockbuster vintage. Black cherry and plum with spicy dark soil and pine sap. The palate has firm tannin, quite grippy for Pinot Noir, and medium-plus acid, tastes a bit like cranberry between the acid and tannin but much gentler. This is a touch less fresh on the finish than the 2019 and quite a bit brawnier. A lovely wine but not as delicate as the 2019. (SCJ)
Critic scores
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Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Brilliant red. Ripe red fruit, floral and baking spice qualities on the nose, along with hints of sandalwood and musky herbs. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering subtly sweet cherry cola and raspberry flavors that firm up through the back half. Shows fine clarity and energy on a persistent finish shaped by smooth, even tannins. 20% new French oak.