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Ancien Pinot Noir Carneros
Ancien Wines
United States - California - Carneros

Carneros Pinot Noir comes from the Toyon Vineyard, located in the Napa side of Carneros. This vineyard was originally planted for Ancien Wines in 1998 with cuttings tracing back to the Swan estate in Sonoma County and Dijon 115 - followed by cuttings from Ed Penhoet’s vineyard in Carmel Valley. Ed’s selection from Carmel Valley's River Ranch is a story into itself (ask us sometime!), known as the "River Ranch Clone" and now proprietary since Ed went through the tedious process of registering the clone and cleaning it of all virus.

Baking spice sings in an endless symphony with wild berry notes, complemented by characteristic Carneros notes of cola. Juicy cherry notes grace the palate and combine seamlessly with anise and hibiscus, ending on a savory note. The palate is round and full of textural, mouth-coating tannins balanced by a bright acidity. Broad chewy tannins, earthy spices and minerality complement the fruit and exotic floral notes of this wine. The palate of this delicious wine will continue to develop in opulence over years of aging, revealing even darker layers and an increasingly smooth texture.

Specifications
Appellation
Carneros
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
100% Pinot Noir
Vinification
The entire lot was separated into one ton, open-top fermenters, employing traditional punch-downs by hand in order to achieve optimal extraction. About 5% of the fruit was fermented as whole clusters. The wine was aged in an array of French cooperage, nearly half new, and gently racked once prior to bottling. Grapes, must, and wines were moved using gravity through to the barrel and using inert gas through racking and bottling.
Production
658 (9-liter cases)

Reviews and News

2018 Ancien Pinot Noir Carneros - 90 PTS - WA

2018 Ancien Pinot Noir Carneros - 90 PTS - WA

wine enthusiast 90 pts"Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2018 Pinot Noir shoots from the glass with bold scents of juicy red plums, Bing cherries and raspberry leaves, plus hints of rhubarb, dried Provence herbs and damp soil. Medium-bodied, delicately styled and refreshing with fine-grained tannins, it has a spicy kick to the finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #257, October 2021), 90 pts

 

2017 Ancien Pinot Noir Carneros - 93 PTS - WE

2017 Ancien Pinot Noir Carneros - 93 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 93 pts"Lively in brooding black fruit, this wine is balanced in richness and length, with a lasting wealth of baking spice and black tea. Well integrated, it forms a cohesive experience on the smooth, seductive palate, finding a balance across all its components. - VIRGINIE BOONE"

- Wine Enthusiast (May 2020)

 

Producer Information: Ancien Wines

In 1992, Ancien wines harvested their first two tons of Pinot Noir from four rows atop a knoll in the southwest corner of Carneros. Producing but five barrels, this marked ...
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