La Rinconada Single Vineyard, Santa-Rita Hills, Pinot Noir 2022 Racines Wines | California

Racines Wines ' Rinconada Pinot Noir embodies a refined vision of Pinot Noir. The fruit of collaboration between Étienne de Montille, Rodolphe Peters, Brian Sieve and Justin Willett, this project aims to express the singularity of the terroirs of Santa Rita Hills, California, through an approach inspired by Burgundian traditions. Located next to the famous Sanford & Benedict vineyard, this parcel of La Rinconada benefits from the tempering influence of the Pacific Ocean and soils composed of schist, limestone and deep clay. These conditions provide an ideal environment for growing Pinot Noir, allowing slow ripening and precise aromatic expression.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : La Rinconada is without doubt one of the finest expressions of California Pinot Noir I've tasted in recent years. It succeeds in reconciling energy, suppleness and aromatic precision. What I like here is the subtle interplay between crisp red fruits, light spices and a delicately structured structure. It's a wine that evokes Burgundy without ever imitating it, with a signature that remains profoundly Californian, in the pure style of Racines Wines.

The nose opens with an aromatic palette of great precision: Morello cherry, wild raspberry and cranberry intertwine with nuances of dried rose, white pepper and bay leaf. On aeration, delicate notes of blood orange zest, black tea and crushed stone emerge, revealing a complexity worthy of the grape's great expressions. The overall impression is one of charm and suavity.

On the palate, the attack is clean, carried by perfectly integrated acidity that structures the wine without ever hardening it. The touch is silky, almost ethereal, with very fine, perfectly polished tannins. The elegance of red fruit on the nose is matched by a hint of aromatic herbs and a delicately peppery sensation that add nuance. The finish is long, subtly sapid, leaving an impression of purity and balance. It skilfully prolongs tasting with a sensation of persistent freshness and intelligent style.