2019 Pinot Noir Richard Hermann Cuvee
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Tasting notes
The 2019 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 Richard Hermann Cuvée features stunning aromatics that unwind slowly: cranberry, pomegranate and blueberry blossom to pipe tobacco, charcuterie, blood orange and rooibos tea leaves. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with layered yet detailed fruit and a very long, ethereal finish. It deserves 3-5 years in bottle to unwind its youthfully latent layers.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
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). Red-fruited but not as sweet in character as in 2018, more mineral, gravel, a stemmy spiciness, the tannins are more tactile and sticky. Very long finish. (SCJ)