2022 Tyler "Wenzlau Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

The 2022 Pinot Noir Wenzlau Family Vineyard is a potent, deeply savory wine. Stem inclusion is 50%, which is on the high side in this vintage. Overall, the 2022 feels a bit austere and tightly wound. (AG)

I'm always excited when I get something floral on the nose in wines, I don't know why exactly, but I really do love a floral wine up to a certain point. This opens with pretty rose petals, and then behind it really lovely red fruit and a kind of dusty earthy spice from the level of stem inclusion, kind of like a low key spice blend with mostly pepper but the lightest touches of pie spice as well. The palate is fairly soft, medium for a Pinot Noir, and has a great level of fruit. The rose is there very slightly, but there's also some brighter cherry, some sweet cranberry, and a little touch of raspberry. The fruit is followed by a toasty stemmy spice, and then ultimately a bit of tannin, though it's really fairly plush overall. This is a nice bottle of wine made in this more whole-cluster style, definitely something for someone who wants a little bit bigger of a Pinot without going into Monster territory.