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91POINTS
16¾/20
Alderlea Vineyards Pinot Noir 2020
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe evolution of pinot noir in the Cowichan Valley Sub-GI trends towards lighter, ethereal, precision fruit, but Alderlea goes its own way here, showing the scope of pinot noir’s capacities. The vineyard was planted in 1993 with a mix of Dijon clones 113, 115, 667, and 777, plus Alsace clones 538, Colmar, and 93. The Alsace clones have skins significantly thicker than a Dijon clone and impart more tannin and colour than most coastal pinot noir. Fresh blackberry, loganberry, and marionberry of elevated intensity show on the nose and in the glass and continue laser-like, maintaining well into the finish. Bigger pinot noirs can want acidity or contain compensating winemaking adjustments that compromise balance. However, the edge of acidity and complementary tannins in the wine provide enough back current to keep the fruit from taking over. It’s a feat to deliver this much fruit intensity combined with such a graceful, echoing balanced finish on 13% alcohol. The grapes were harvested at 24 brix, with a TA of 6.8 and a PH of 3.4.Tasted: 20 August 2023Tasted by: Brent GushowatyPrices:| Winery | $30.00 | 750ml | Sold out |
Grape: Pinot Noir
