Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir ’21

Description

This is Rippon’s flagship Pinot Noir wine. “Rippon” is produced from fruit grown on several small parcels, with different clones and vine ages. The parcels were picked and fermented separately in stainless-steel fermenters, then matured separately before blending. Fermentation was carried out for 9 to 11 days with native yeasts. Skin contact spanned 14 to 28 days depending on the parcel. The wine matured for a total of 16 months in French oak barrels ranging from new (21%) to four years old. Bottled in September 2022.

“The 2021 Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir is a representation of the flavor of the estate. The wine spends two winters in barrel and two in bottle prior to release, and as usual, the wine here today expounds mineral freshness and detail in spades. On the palate, the tannins set in in a manner akin to wet chalk. They are silty and fine and tend to settle on the palate and linger long through the finish. I love this wine: the detail and freshness of it and the flavors of pomegranate, crushed shells, raspberry seed and white tea. Yields were very low, and it was a difficult year in terms of the logistical challenges thanks to COVID-19. “I kept it simple this year; there was so much going on in our lives at that time,” says Nick Mills. Vines were planted from 1982 to 2000, mostly unirrigated (aside from new vines) and on own roots, and no adjustments were made to the must. This is gorgeous. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 94 Points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate.”