2018 “Lansdale Block” Estate Pinot Noir - Eden Rift Vineyards

Tart black raspberry, wild lavender, fresh cranberry. Plump Bing cherry, Chinese five spice, Santa Rosa plum. Complex layers of intriguing mostly-dark fruit led by boysenberry, blueberry, and blood orange boom with impressive aromatic might while tobacco leaf, undergrowth, pine cone, and Earl Grey tea generously compliment a range of well integrated natural notes. Hints of iris and rose petal gently emerge to impart deep floral overtones that battle against a plethora of pretty spices highlighted by cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and peppercorn. Subtle bits of soy sauce and leather reveal delicious impressions of umami while suggestions of ocean air and tilled loam provide an anchor to coastal terroir. Tense, tightly wound, and foreboding on both the nose and the palate while presenting excellent density and structure; exhibiting an intense yet highly nuanced presentation that is muscular, rugged, and unquestionably ageworthy. Medium plus in body with elevated tannin cut by bright acidity. This 2018 "Lansdale Block" Estate Pinot Noir by Eden Rift Vineyards is a sensationally serious red from the Cienega Valley.

Located in San Benito County's Cienega Valley just a few miles from Calera's seminal Pinot Noir plantings, Eden Rift is an incredible vineyard site that produces some of California's most compelling Pinot Noir-based wines. This bottling, crafted by Eden Rift using 100% Calera Clone Pinot Noir grown on their estate's perilously steep "Q-Block", is an incredible representation of what this magnificent vineyard and grape can achieve. Unquestionably one of the most angsty and dark-fruited wines coming from Eden Rift, this broods with a deep yet lifted fruit profile laden with compelling whole-cluster influenced herbal and spice notes. Though enjoyable now this wine is clearly built for the cellar, and should be absolutely spectacular with another 5-10 years of bottle age. Wow.