Rivers-Marie Joy Road Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, USA 2023

JOY ROAD VINEYARD

Though the Pinot Noir was new to us in 2021, we’ve been working with this west Sonoma Coast site for nearly a decade. The Pinot side is three acres spread across 8 blocks. We have attempted to separately ferment as many of them as possible to get an overall impression of where the best quality lies. Given the complexities of this, it will take us a while to get a handle on the entire site but early indications show a crunchy, red fruited wine with high toned white flowers, sandalwood and spearmint.

"The 2023 Pinot Noir Joy Road Vineyard takes things up a notch in its spice profile. It pours a jeweled ruby color and is fresh with notes of toasted incense and fresh raspberries. It’s medium-bodied, with an elegant, pure feel, a lot of clarity, refreshing acidity, and a clean, stony finish. It’s a lovely wine now but should also hold up another 15 years." Jeb Dunnuck 95