Juicy red cherry, evergreen tree, cracked pomegranate. Foraged raspberry, marine fog, tart rhubarb compote. Plump yet delicate wafts of farmstand strawberry, cranberry preserves, and orange zest gracefully collide with a complex medley of forest floor, cardamom, and rose petals in a delightfully high toned and lifted display. Notes of brown mushroom, pine, and crushed lavender emerge to advance themes of natural charm while a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander provides a subtle dusting of spice. In the midst of its most fragrant aromatics a vein of ancient ocean floor and sea spray reveals deeply ingrained salinity that further freshens and brightens the scene with a jolt of coastal terroir. Expansive and elegant on the nose while remaining impressively weightless, lively, and silky on the palate; exhibiting incredible refinement coupled with flawless balance, purity, and restraint. Medium bodied yet mouth-filling featuring moderate tannin backed by booming acidity. This 2017 Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir by Joseph Jewell Wines is an expressive, ethereal, and exhilarating red from Humboldt County. 

Located north of Mendocino County at the edge of the redwood curtain, Humboldt County is undoubtedly emerging to become one of California's next great zones for high quality cool climate viticulture. This bottling, crafted by Joseph Jewell Wines using Pinot Noir sourced from the Ryan Vineyard in Southern Humboldt County, showcases this region's innate ability to create deeply complex and profound flavor development in wines that are impressively delicate and fresh. As soon as the cork is pulled this erupts with brilliant aromatics of pristine fruit, earthy forest tones, and wood spice tied together with a distinct streak of coastal salinity. While amply ripe, plush, and on the fuller-bodied side for Humboldt this wine is still terrifically lean by California standards yet remains extremely characterful and delicious. Outstanding.