2023 STiRM "Joaquinite Gimelli Vineyard" Cienega Valley Pinot Noir

Keeping in mind that the late great Josh Jensen came to Cienega Valley seeking limestone soils when he founded the legendary Mt. Harlan Estate on the peaks directly above these vineyards. The soils found at Gimelli are basically the same soils eroded down from the mountain side. These Pinot Noir vines are now quite mature at 27 years of age. Fruit is destemmed and fermented with native ferment in old, open-top Redwood tanks. The wine is then aged in totally neutral oak and bottle unfined, unfiltered. The wine has a wonderful balance of floral tones, pure, silky fruit, and savory earth tones. Expressive right from the bottle with dried rose petal, hibiscus, black raspberry, seared strawberry with balsamic reduction, dusty earth, foraged mushrooms, and leaf litter. Very supple and elegant on the palate, vibrant and complex way beyond its modest price tag—so delicious!