2013 Wayfarer Pinot Noir
The Estate

Tasting Notes

This rich and harmonious cuvee of 12 Pinot Noir clones beautifully showcases Wayfarer’s vibrant spectrum of single-vineyard, estate-grown fruit. The wine is a dazzling deep ruby color that leads with heady aromas of wild blackcurrant and freshly picked strawberry. It evolves with notes of licorice and toasted oak, finishing with an intriguing lilt of forest floor, leather, rose petal and raspberry. The bright, juicy entry evokes flavors of cranberry and cherry, harmonized with a grip of fine tannins and earthy tones of cedar and tar. The long finish surprises with its fresh minerality and intense aromatics of violet and Tahitian vanilla. Showy now with two hours of decanting at cellar temperature, watch this wine evolve beautifully with cellaring up to 15 years. 

Winemaking Notes

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, setting aside 8% for whole-cluster fermentation. The remaining berries were then de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to tank. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two
weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 40% new French
oak barrels for 15 months of aging. 

Vintage Notes

The 2013 growing season was initially noted for its 40%-below-average rainfall amidst California’s escalating drought. However,
the vintage will ultimately be remembered for its intense, concentrated flavors and exceptional quality across every vineyard block. Mild spring temperatures beckoned bud break as normal beginning March 21st on the west-facing slope of Block 20. While a touch of gentle spring rain accelerated canopy growth, strategic shoot positioning and leaf removal afforded ideal air circulation and sun exposure for the beautifully formed clusters. Veraison began on July 26th and our block-by-block harvest began September 4th on the east side of the estate, finishing in our northern-most block on September 17th. 

Blocks Map

1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26a, 26b, 30

Clones

37, Bacigalupi Old Wente, Dijon 115, Dijon 667, Dijon 777, Dijon 828, Hirsch, Hyde Old Wente, Pommard 4, Pommard 5, Swan, Wayfarer

Critics

94 Points

Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2015

The 2013 Pinot Noir Wayfarer Vineyard is supple, expressive and exceptionally beautiful. Plump red cherries, plums, cinnamon and rose petals meld together in a racy, effortless Pinot built on texture and nuance. Beams of acidity and minerality give the 2013 much of its energy and delineation. This is a great introduction to the wines of the property. The Wayfarer is a blend of 12 different clones from various parcels scattered across the property.

92 Points

Doug Wilder, Purely Domestic Wine Report, March 2015

2013 Pinot Noir is lushly put together with aromas of cocoa, cherry, graphite with whiffs of orange peel, spice, cola and hints of rum. The palate is a supple, berry-focused assemblage of each clone in the estate, harmoniously focused through its silky finish. Drink 2016 – 2023.

Wine Data

Winemaker:
Bibiana González Rave
Origin:
Wayfarer Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast
Pruning:
Double Guyot
Vine Yield:
Less than 3 pounds
Harvested:
September 4 - September 17, 2013
Bottled:
December 28, 2015
Release:
Fall 2015
Composition:
100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol:
14.5%
pH:
3.50
TA:
6.3 g/l
Cases Produced:
1,200 cases

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