89POINTS
16¼/20
Nichol Vineyard Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNichol released two pinot noir in from 2016. This was mostly whole cluster (85%), while the parter wine was entirely destemmed. Both were from the same six rows planted in 1990 on granite bedrock at their Naramata estate. Both were bottled unfined and unfiltered. This spent 4.5 on stems before basket pressing into older French barriques for 14 months. This draws an earthy grippiness along the length of this lighter wine, one coloured with suboir, sapid cherry, raspberry, sarsaparilla root. This textural wine wraps around a soft bing cherry core, and finishes with a whiff of pink pepper. Nichol is experimenting with greater use of whole cluster, and as this wine shows, it's a worthy experiment.Tasted: 30 August 2018Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:BC | $35.00 | 750ml | winery direct |
Grape: Pinot Noir