2018 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvee
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvée is a stunning wine made with unparalleled attention to detail. The grapes—from an undisclosed location—were 100% hand-snipped from their stems and fermented in amphorae. "Ceramic is not permeable," proprietors Kathryn and Christopher Hermann explain. "It allows oxygen in and the respiration of alcohol out, resulting in the natural reduction of alcohol by about half a percent." In addition to amphorae, the Hermanns are incorporating concrete vessels for fermentation. "So we now have amphorae, concrete tank and four-ton barrels from Marc Grenier in Burgundy." This 2018 Richard Hermann Cuvée has very detailed, layered aromatics: cranberry sauce, blueberries and pomegranate blossom to foresty accents of underbrush and spicy streaks reminiscent of amaro. The palate is light-bodied, chalky and fresh, with surprising concentration of spicy fruit and a long, ethereal finish. Offer it a few more years in bottle to unwind.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Allen Meadows, Burghound
More reviews and scores
Eola-Amity Hills fruit from an undisclosed vineyard. Barrel selection of the most elegant wines. 100% hand-destemmed at the pedicel and whole-berry fermented in 500-litre terracotta amphora. Gentle pumpovers, no punchdowns. Aged 18 months in 20% new French oak (Damy Rubis barrels). Sweet ripe red fruit, spice, pine needles and decaying leaves on dark soil, candy-cap mushrooms, root beer, cherry cola. There is power to this wine but each component is in harmony. (SCJ)