2017 Pinot Noir 'Wentzel Vyd', Anderson Valley
Roland Wentzel - owner of Eagle Point Ranch - planted this Pinot Noir vineyard with a bunch of different blocks. Peter Boudouras now owns the vineyard.
25% Whole cluster. 35% New French oak. Native yeast fermentation. Avg 25 ppm sulphur addition.
The Wentzel vineyard, in Philo, is across from the Confluence vineyard. It expresses a lot more red fruit than Confluence. It is a lot more clay than loamy. Decomposed sandstone predominantly.
Food pairing: Heritage pork tomahawk with a savory apple sauce, brown butter sage and spƤtzle.
On the nose it has red cherry, dusty rose, and violets. Little bit of charcuterie. On the palate, it's spice box, red fruit, little bit of astringency, oak is pretty well integrated; expresses itself as pencil shavings. Balanced in the mouth, not overly tannic, elegant, long finish. Earthy wet stone. Will get better for the next 5 years.