2013 Cherry Tart Pinot Noir

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$19.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is Jason Woodbridge’s second foray into making pinot noir under the “Cherry” label.  Cherry Pie, the original, is a single-vineyard expression of the varietal and more than double the cost of this month’s feature, Cherry Tart, with fruit sourced from vineyards on the Sonoma Coast (25%), in Monterey County (50%) and in Santa Barbara County (25%).

Woodbridge uses an interesting approach with vinting this juice:  He ferments in “puncheons,” 500-liter oak barrels.  The punch down is manual, and he even uses his hands to massage the must.  The result is big cherry flavors that Woodbridge says reminds him of his mother’s cherry pies.  The dude has a flair for marketing, too, with amazing labels and six-pack packaging (for Cherry Pie).

At Wine Club pricing, this is a huge value for such a well crafted, fruit-forward wine.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2013 Cherry Tart Pinot Noir jumps from the glass with aromas of raspberry, nutmeg, sandalwood and light smokiness, lifted by a floral note. Silky and delicate up front, with ripe acidity framing the rich, sweet flavors of red berries, red cherry and earth. Offers good fat without excess weight, finishing with a fine dusting of tannins and very good length.

Blend:  100% pinot noir

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