Waits Mast 2021 Pinot Noir “Oppenlander” Mendocino 96+ Points

FMW 96+ Points: This single vineyard Oppenlander Pinot Noir, offers up a bright and complex aroma of black-cherry, and cranberry fruit notes. The 2021 vintage shows off an amazing body, with great balance, lively acidity, and concentrated black and red stone fruit flavors that make this a very special and appealing wine. The aromas are vibrant, the juicy, mouthwatering cherry and black fruit flavors are gleaming and the wine finishes with a long-lasting silkiness. This wine should cellar well for a good 8-10 years.

Winemaker Notes: “Showing a beautiful medium ruby hue with a tinge of violet on the edges, the 2021 Oppenlander opens up with aromas of black cherry, raspberry candy, and hints of lilacs and black tea. Rich dark fruit envelops the palate, complemented by notes of clove, rhubarb, sandalwood, and a subtle interplay of vanilla and cocoa. The aromatics on this wine also smell like harvest – that complex mix of earthy, flowery, and sweet fragrance that can evoke nostalgia as we enter a cooler time of year. How appropriate as we release this ninth vintage of our Pinot Noir made from this coastal-influenced site.  The structure and subtle fine-grain tannins of this wine result in a long, fruit-driven finish and ensure years of complexity unfolding as the wine ages gracefully. As you think about autumn dishes like roasted pork with butternut squash or herb-crusted lamb chops, this wine will provide inspiration for some great food pairing.“