2014 Auteur Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge

The 2014 Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge Vineyard comes from a high elevation of 2,200 feet in Mendocino and is sourced from Dijon clones 115 and 777. Ten percent stems were used in the making of this wine that saw 60% new French barrels. Dense ruby/purple (one of the darkest of the Auteur Pinot Noirs) with plenty of forest floor, damp earth, new saddle leather, blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, this is a decidedly more primordial, masculine and backward style of Pinot Noir, but with big structure and terrific concentration and energy. Look for this wine to improve for 2-3 years and drink well for 15 or more.