Elizabeth Spencer Pinot Noir 2022

Elizabeth Spencer's Pinot Noir comes from vineyards located in Mendocino County, north of Napa Valley, California. This coastal region benefits from the refreshing influence of the Pacific Ocean, with morning fogs and significant temperature swings that promote slow and balanced grape maturation. The varied soils, mixing alluvium, gravel, and clay, allow for the expression of the varietal's natural finesse, while maintaining beautiful freshness and precise, elegant aromatic expression.

Sourced from carefully selected vines, this Pinot Noir is harvested at optimal ripeness and then transported to the cellar for delicate destemming. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks, with appropriate pump-overs to gently extract color, aromas, and structure. After devatting and moderate pressing, the wine is racked for aging in oak barrels, aiming to preserve the elegance of the fruit while adding complexity and texture, before bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of crisp red fruits, black cherry, and raspberry, complemented by floral touches reminiscent of violet and rose, as well as delicate spicy and woody nuances evoking vanilla and clove. On the palate, the texture is supple and silky, supported by a fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a persistent finish, elegantly enhanced by a subtle mineral dimension.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that revitalized the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition decimated the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained. It wasn't until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were established (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976, a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris." It pitted the greatest French wines against the new American upstarts. On May 24th, an unexpected result shook the wine world, as, to everyone's surprise, the United States emerged victorious. This competition, however, remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. While California largely dominates the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world, and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.