2018 Wayfarer Pinot Noir
Golden Mean

The 2018 Golden Mean is brimming with fresh aromatics from the Swan clone – anise, violet, rose petal, raspberry and cranberry. The palate opens with a broad stroke and density from the Pommard clone, along with savory and spice notes from whole cluster fermentation. Give this wine time in your glass and it won’t disappoint.

We hand-picked each block and delivered firm, cool clusters to the winery before sunrise. We then hand-sorted the fruit and reserved 7% for whole-cluster fermentation. The remainder of the fruit was destemmed before transferring to tank, where five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The free run wine was transferred to 67% new French oak for 15 months of aging.

2018 was marked by a long and temperate growing season that allowed for an ideal harvest. The Pinot Noir vines began to emerge on March 31st. Annual rainfall was only 37.5 inches, 35% below average, however a large portion of this rain came in April. With spring rain filling the soil profile, the vines were able to thrive in the early growing season and continued to revel in moderate weather through May. Bloom occurred during the first days of June, and an idyllic summer allowed for a long ripening period. With high temperatures between 79 and 82 degrees throughout August, and a moderately cool September, we were able to pick precisely as the fruit reached phenolic ripeness, leading to wonderful tannin texture and exceptional aromatics.