Domaine Carneros was founded in 1987 when Claude Taittinger (of the noble family behind Taittinger Champagne) selected a 138-acre parcel in the heart of Carneros in the Napa Valley. The first two barrels of Pinot Noir were made in 1992 and named for the antique iron gate that graces the entrance to Domain Carneros, a gift from the Taittinger family.

Winemaker's notes: “For the past thirty years, we have carefully cultivated three old-vine blocks of the historic Swan selection of Pinot Noir. Each small block is located at a different vineyard; two are in Napa, and one on the western Sonoma side of Carneros. In this wine, Swan takes center stage, with two supporting characters – ‘Hanzell’ selection and ‘Dijon 115’ to create the highest expression of our estate-grown Carneros terroir.”

This is 100% Estate Grown Pinot Noir is aged for 16 months in French Oak barrels (45% new). This deeply garnet wine opens with completely captivating aromas of brooding dark fruits, savory spices, broiled beef, and freshly cut cedar. It is a big and harmonious marvel on the palate with a full-bodied mouthfeel. After minutes in the glass, it reveals a fine balance of densely layered dark and red orchard fruits, cocoa bean, brown spices and lightly toasted oak leading to a deep, silky finish. While stunning today, this wine will age well in the cellar if you are willing to keep your hands off it.

By Peter Pretzer