AUTEUR PINOT MANCHESTER '14   

AUTEUR PINOT NOIR, MANCHESTER RIDGE VINEYARD, MENDOCINO RIDGE 2014

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

92+ Points

The 2014 Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge Vineyard comes from a high elevation of 2,200 feet in Mendocino and is sourced from Dijon clones 115 and 777. Ten percent stems were used in the making of this wine that saw 60% new French barrels. Dense ruby/purple (one of the darkest of the Auteur Pinot Noirs) with plenty of forest floor, damp earth, new saddle leather, blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, this is a decidedly more primordial, masculine and backward style of Pinot Noir, but with big structure and terrific concentration and energy. Look for this wine to improve for 2-3 years and drink well for 15 or more.

NVWE Notes: Vivid and sweetly fruity, the nose of this slightly exotic Pinot poises red and black cherry, red plum, strawberry-rhubarb, pink peppercorn, sumac berry, coriander seed and sandalwood scents above dark mineral undercurrents. It is focused and youthfully zesty on the palate, where rich flavors of sour cherry, strawberry, Elephant heart plum, coriander, sumac, pink peppercorn, caramel, tobacco, sandalwood, black tea, dark earth and minerals create a structured and lingering melange. Built for fatty roasts and sauced entrees, it will grow ever more attractive over the next four years or so. 192 cases produced.