TN: 2020 Tercero Pinot Noir Clone 114 Kessler-Haak Vineyard

WINE TALK
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2020 Tercero Pinot Noir Clone 114 Kessler-Haak Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (5/18/2023)
Wanted something lite and bright with a little more contemplation than the Cinsault Nouveau we had yesterday...which was also great I might add! The 114 is all about the fresh crushed berries, with a wonderful candied spice, and whole cluster funk that I love! Chilled it...but as it warmed, the red licorice dryness and sassafras spice really strutted...fruit is all fresh crushed wild berry, polished sheen, with a raspberry tartness...subtle funk of stems, cherrywood smoke, and tilled earth...salty minerality...little teeny weeny martini alc bite to it...not distracting though...very pretty florals and a tingle of spice on the finish. Such vibrancy...yet it gains and gains on you as it opens...especially on the nose! Probably drank this one too soon...seems to be more in store with a few more years...but what the hell...damn tasty poolside today! (94 points)

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Thanks for posting this note and the beautiful picture, @B_Buzzini

I’m really pleased with how my 2020 Pinots, my first vintage producing Pinots, are developing. I agree that this wine’s best days probably lay a few years ahead at least but am pleased with how they are drinking now.

I remember when I told my winemaker friends that I was going to go 100% whole cluster on these and they cautioned me to do so, thinking that the stems would overpower the wine. I’m glad I didn’t listen - to mean the stems bring the ‘scratches’ that make old school vinyl a touch ‘imperfect’ in the best of ways.

Cheers!

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