Barra Reserve Pinot Noir 2024

The grapes for this wine come from select blocks within their Redwood Valley vineyard with the vines planted in 1955. (Yes, 49 year old vines.) The vineyard lies at more than 800 feet above sea level and this combined with the organic farming practices mean the vines produce less fruit than most and the ripening process is long. As a result this is a very concentrated and intense Pinot Noir that punches way above its weight class.

Decant this wine for a half hour and the nose oozes from the glass with notes of fresh red cherries, black raspberry puree, cold black tea, caramel and espresso crema. On the palate this wine shows the Mendocino origin as a surprisingly savory and intense wine, less fruity than examples a few miles away in the Russian River of Sonoma. Fans of Willamette Valley Pinots will find commonality here with just a touch more body. Serve with pan seared salmon with a shallot mustard pan sauce or a pork tenderloin stuffed with a mushroom duxelles.