Belle Pente, Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir
This is the de-classified good stuff; the barrels that didn’t make the cut for the Estate bottling. It comes from all the estate’s plantations and represents a nicely diverse mix of clones and vine age. It’s at a perfect stage of development with a few extra years of bottle age under its belt.
In the glass, this 2015 “Yamhill-Carlton” bottling displays a dark ruby red with magenta emerging as it moves toward the rim. Alluring scents of black cherry, violets, spicy raspberries, espresso, candied florals, sweetbriar, and warm earth dominate the bouquet. The supple palate is silky smooth with velvety tannins holding vivid flavors of sweet cherries, blueberries, black tea, and spicy mocha. A smoky mineral note echoes throughout the vibrant mouthfeel and the impressive, long finish is marked with welcomed, gently woven tannins and bursting acidity.