2018 Pahlmeyer Wayfarer Vineyard Pinot Noir Golden Mean
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Tasting notes
Blend of Pommard and Swan clones. Pommard brings strength in texture and powerful aromatics, while Swan encapsulates elegance with ethereal floral expressions. Hand-picked clusters delivered to the winery before sunrise. Fruit hand-sorted and destemmed before being transfer to tank where five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% ambient-yeast fermentation. The free-run wine was transferred to French oak (33% new) for 15 months. Now this is fresh on the nose – even if it’s a tad too sweet for me on the palate. Lots of oomph and, after a hint of cough medicine, it does finish fresh. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Medium ruby-purple in the glass, the 2018 Pinot Noir Golden Mean opens slowly to cured meats, peppercorn, garrigue, dried violets, aniseed and loads of sweet berry fruits. The medium-bodied palate explodes with ultra perfumed, layered flavors, grainy, super fresh and finishing very long.
Incorporating a touch of stems (10%), the 2018 Pinot Noir Golden Mean reveals a slightly translucent ruby color as well as a great bouquet of mulled raspberries, flowery incense, iodine, and spiced orange. Tight and focused on the palate, with good concentration, it has a stunning sense of precision and elegance as well as length. It's another thrill a minute from this team that should be snatched up by readers!
The 2018 Pinot Noir Golden Mean is a blend of Swan and Pommard clones. Rich and layered, the 2018 is intriguing, but it is also not totally put together just yet. Even so, its potential is evident. Time in the glass brings out a whole range of floral overtones and bright, red-toned fruit, both of which I associate with Swan clone Pinots, but there is a lot of tannin lurking beneath. At this stage, the two components in this wine do not feel fully melded together.