Stone Lion Pinot Noir 2019
Vintage Notes
The 2019 vintage was a classic expression of a cool climate Pinot Noir. Stone Lion is a Pinot that is on the bolder side of all the Pinot Noirs we make from Edna Ranch. It will have a little more weight, a little more structure than our other offerings. But thanks to the cool growing area it comes from, it will still have some acidity and freshness to balance it all. There is also a little bit more oak impact as well, as we put new barrels in this program.
Winemaking
The fruit is picked at night, destemmed, and sorted with the optical sorter. It is then fermented in our open-top tanks. We inoculate with yeast and use three different strains to change the profile of the lots. We tend to use lots for this wine that came from hot fermentations. Extraction is done with pump over once or twice daily, with aeration mid-way through fermentation. Aged for nine months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% of them being new. We always use a little bit more new oak to age our Stone Lion Pinot Noir.
Wine Profile
Nose: Cherry preserves, lingering strawberry notes with white pepper, turmeric, and frankincense.
Palate: Juicy, medium-light body with sandalwood, persimmon, and pomegranate seed linger on the palate. Well structured pinot with savory tannins and a lengthy finish of tea, leather, and hay.
Pair this wine with Braised Sausage & Fennel
Accolades
93 PTS – Jeb Dunnuck – September 2021
94 PTS – Wine Enthusiast – October 2021