In one of my tasting group last get-togethers for the year we decided to blind taste some 2013 Pinot Noirs – all very good ones! The line-up included:
- Tyler “N-Block” 95 PT RP
- Peter Michael “Clos du Ciel” 94 RP
- Aubert “U-V” 96 RP
- Brewer-Clifton Acin 95 RP
- Wenzlau 93 RP
- Mount Eden 96 RP
- Argot “Bastard Tongue” 93+ RP
- Merry Edwards “Meredith” 94 RP
- Kistler 94 RP
- Cattleya “Donum”
Cattleya “Donum” 2013 came out shining on top! With 95 Points from Robert Parker, I am not entirely surprised. However, rising from a field of other highly rated wines, it is a testament to the quality of this wine.
 Bibiana González Rave is the founder and winemaker of Cattleya Wines. She is also the wife of star winemaker Jeff Pisoni. Born and raised in Colombia and trained as a winemaker in France, she moved to California in 2007 to settle into making extraordinary wines. In her words: “Since my early teenage years, my dream has been to make wine. At a very young age I was fortunate enough to begin learning how to make wine in France. I trained myself while working with some amazing winemakers who showed me the importance of loving the land, how to respect the farming itself, and to focus on the many details that go into making each drop of wine in each and every bottle.” She also makes the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Pahlmeyer and owns the “Shared Notes” wine venture with husband Jeff Pisoni. |
Cattleya 2013 “Donum” Pinot Noir Carneros
Retail 85.00 – GGWC 71.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code CATTLEYA at checkout
Robert Parker 95 Points: “From a vineyard in Carneros and not harvested until the middle of October, the 2013 Pinot Noir Donum Vineyard is a thrilling Pinot Noir that doesn’t put a foot wrong. Mostly destemmed (there were 35% whole clusters) and aged 11 months in 50% new French oak, its deeper violet/purple color is followed by sensational notes of black raspberries, crushed violets, wet rock, toasted spice and sage brush. Medium to full-bodied, layered, and beautifully textured and concentrated, it has impeccable purity, ripe tannin and ample, juicy acidity that shows on the palate and finish. It’s good now in a youthful, vibrant style, but will be better with bottle age.”
Winemaker Notes: “Clear ruby-red color with beautiful depth. The nose starts with a combination of raspberries and violets evolving into a spicy blend full of cinnamon, cloves and lightly-roasted coffee. After a few minutes in the glass, the red fruit aromas take over the nose and flirt with vanilla beans and pomegranate. Intense tannin content indicates aging potential while the acidity focuses the wine texture to the middle – giving a long finish.”
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