2012 I’m Here Now Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley, California

2012 I’m Here Now (wait…what was that?) Pinot Noir

I have long been a fan of Russian River Valley wines. I love the slightly tropical aromas, the soft mouth-kissing textures, and the lengthy stretched-out reach of the finish.  Soft and plush, lazy summer days, mouths filled with wine. These are things I think about when I’m in the Russian River Valley.  This Pinot Noir comes from a selection of 3 barrels from a single vineyard in the heart of the Green Valley sub-appellation. The vineyard is comprised of sandy Goldridge soils, primo for Pinot, and the clone here is 115. The wines were fermented in a combination of concrete egg and stainless steel with 10% whole cluster. 2012 was a solid vintage in Sonoma with no real heat spikes and no heavy rain, enabling a clean harvest with good yields. The use of all older barrels here and careful tannin management have meant for a very supple mouth feel and gently rolling aromatics. I picked barrels that showed elegance and harmony, with a supple and gentle finesse. A carefully blended Pinot Noir ……for your mouth.

The label is a close up of Frank, the collection of baby doll heads that live in my house. The label is a continuation of 2012 Zinfandel thingsIthoughtaboutyesterday, with Frank getting a close up here. The label is called “I’m Here Now”, referring to the delicious Pinot Noir your mouth is about to love. The sub label “wait…what was that?” is a shout out to the release of Mouth Flowers….coming soon…
…to a mouth near to you.

Review

2013 Kitten Swish Pinot Noir I’m Here Now (wait…what was that?), Russian River Valley, California

A nose of warm cherry pie, raspberry puree, soft vanilla spice and subtle savoury-earth notes.  It is a complex yet comfortable Pinot on the palate with tangy red berry fruit kissed with anise in a polished, spicy package that’s supple and smooth through the finish.  Very different, very fine.  92/100

Rick Van Sickle, Quench Magazine, Rogue Rangers, February/March 2015

Download Show Sheet