2018 Native 9 Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard
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Tasting notes
50-year-old, own-rooted vines, farmed organically. 60% whole-cluster fermentation with no added yeast or SO 2 during fermentation. Spends 18 months in one-third new French oak. 220 cases made. Medium ruby. Smells of red-apple skin, cherries and raspberry jam. Wonderfully silky flavours of raspberries, red-apple skin, dashi and dried herbs have a wispy tannic texture (which grows stronger and more insistent with time) and excellent acidity. Wonderfully savoury and very delicious. (AY)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Pinot Noir is a solid step up. Revealing a ruby/translucent hue as well as a spicy nose of mulled red and black fruits, toasted spice, and savory herbs, it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a supple, elegant texture, good overall balance, and a classy finish. It's a solid, complex, satisfying Pinot Noir.
James Ontiveros and his winemaker, Justin Willet, source fruit from Ontiveros' home ranch in Santa Maria for the Native 9 Pinot Noir. Crushed flowers, mint and dried leaves, with a good bit of whole cluster savoriness open up first. Medium in body and ethereal in feel, the 2018 is a Pinot of gracious lift more than anything else. Time in the glass brings out the wine's inner sweetness and perfume to round things out. The 2018 was done with 50% whole clusters and spent 20 months in oak, about 50% new.