2019 Pinot Noir

The best Pinot Noirs often result from cool vintages like 2019.  Don’t be deceived by this wine’s delicate coloring—it’s flavor is focused and correct.  The use of bio-intensive growing practices is helping the vines produce more interesting and healthy fruit, regardless of vintage.

Reminiscent of a Bourgogne Rouge but with a Finger Lakes stamp of origin, this terroir-driven Pinot Noir has aromas of plums, cherries, forest floor, wet stone and dried herbs.  It is delicate in color, yet displays focused intensity and complexity on the palate.  Its long finish shows vanilla, caramel, red fruit and minerals from the shale-heavy soil of our vineyard.

Vineyard/Harvest notes:Our estate Pinot Noir vineyard was planted in 1984 by Silver Thread founder Richard Figiel.  One of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards on Seneca Lake, the glacial till includes shale and limestone outcroppings amidst silt-loam soil and contributes to naturally low yields.  Dijon clones planted include 115 and Clone V (reportedly a suitcase clone from Clos Vougeot).  

Winemaker notes: Fruit was destemmed and fermented in small lots using both native and cultured yeast.  Wine was aged in neutral French Oak barrels for 10 months (average barrel age 8 years).  Bottled in July 2020.

Cellaring:Drink now or cellar up to 5 years. 

Pairing Suggestions:Earthy foods, like mushrooms or game meats; medium-bodied fish like salmon or haddock