2016 Nicholas Allen Carte Blanche Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Dense and layered, offering beautiful dark-fruit and walnut character with some black olives and dried strawberries. Full-bodied, tight and focused. Excellent energy and tightness. Drink in 2020.
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James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
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As to the reds, the 2016 Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard was mostly destemmed (there’s 30% stems) and spent 16 months in 40% new barrels. It’s another layered, rich, yet impeccably balanced wine and offers lots of red and black fruits, savory herbs, and earthy, forest floor-like nuances. Drink it over the coming decade or more. These Carte Blanche releases are made by superstar winemaker Helen Keplinger.
From a vineyard planted at 900 to 1,400 feet in elevation, using 30% whole cluster and aged in 40% new Burgundian oak, the medium to deep ruby-purple colored 2016 Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard gives up notes of redcurrants, cranberries and pomegranate with touches of bay leaves, tilled soil and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied, the palate is beautifully perfumed with a soft, plush texture and refreshing lift to the finish. 200 cases produced.