2017 The Haven Pinot Noir

The 2017 Pinot Noir The Haven Vineyard Estate brings together so many of the elements of the year. Ripe red cherry, cedar, white pepper, licorice and chalky notes give The Haven a good bit of energy and delineation. The 2017 shows the natural richness of the year, but it also has a good bit of backing energy. The 2017 could use a bit of time in bottle, but it is pretty expressive, even in the early going.

Great pinot has haunting, beguiling character and this is Haven to a tee. The aromas are complex and change with every minute in the glass, moving from stones and fresh forest wood to a complex and spicy stream of red and darker cherries and plums. Earthy nuances, too. The palate has such expansive shape and delivers seamless fruit. A succulent, intense and fresh core of red cherries holds and holds on the finish. A river of noble tannin. This is as good as they come. Wildly delicious now, but better in 2025.

Ted Lemon says, "The Mays Pinot Noir was picked in late August and the Haven fruit was picked three weeks later. After the heat, things shut down and that's why we waited another three weeks to pick. But to me, there's a commonality of vintage." The 2017 Pinot Noir The Haven Vineyard is pale to medium ruby with scents of spiced blackberry pie, citrus peel, dried tea leaves, crushed stone and dried flowers with a core of crushed black cherry, dried cranberries, rhubarb and tobacco leaf. The palate is light to medium-bodied and broody with amaro-tinged fruits and great floral sparks. It has a firm, fine-grained frame and seamless acidity, finishing long and layered.