Waits Mast 2016 “Wentzel” Pinot Noir, Mendocino 95 Pts

The Story: Waits Mast is a husband and wife Pinot Noir venture that started in 2000 when two Pinotphiles decided to start their own venture. Under the guidance of their consulting winemaker Shalini Shehkar (Roar, William Selyem)  and the staff at Roar they started production of their own label, and the rest as they say…. is history.

The Vineyard: At a roughly 900 foot elevation near Philo, Roland and Barbara Wentzel’s10-acre vineyard is organically farmed within an expansive 300+ acre forested property. The Wentzels live mostly off the land with lush vegetable and herb gardens, fruit trees, sheep, ducks, chickens and more. It is an idyllic, welcoming haven tucked away in the hillsides of Anderson Valley and Roland and Barbara are passionate caretakers of the land. The particular plot of land that we get our fruit from is called “the clos,” as it is a fenced-in block situated up the hill. It’s a tiny block – less than an acre – that consists of vines transplanted three years ago from a lower block that had poorly drained soil that promoted excessive vine vigor. The block has a south-west orientation, terraced up a steep hillside, so the grapes benefit from the long afternoon sunlight.The clos at Wentzel Vineyard has Dijon clones 114, 115, 667 and 777 – all within a block that is less than an acre.

WE 95 Points, Cellar Selection:

“This nervy, vivid and well-balanced wine is a bit subtle in the aromas of baking spices and warm earth.  It deepens and broadens on the palate, offering mouthwatering red cherry, raspberry and rhubarb flavors. There’s an exciting tension between the fruitiness and fine-grained tannins.  Best from 2024. abv 13.4%”