2021-C Ernest Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California (750ml)   

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A Quarterly Red Cellar Trio Wine Club Selection
Deep, dark red. Multifaceted aromas of red fruit, pine, pepper and savory herbs. The palate is surprisingly bright, with red fruits, dried mushroom and plum. Medium-bodied with dusty tannins and a touch of toasted oak. Cellaring Recommendation: 3 – 5 years.

Yes, there was a man named Ernest. He was an entrepreneur, a risk-taker and a role model for his grandson, Todd Gottula, who founded Ernest Vineyards with his wife, Erin Brooks, in 2012. Ernest produces an array of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the westernmost reaches of the Sonoma Coast, delivering elegant, cool-climate wines that are brighter in natural acidity, lower in alcohol and expressive of the vineyard in which they're grown. Todd and Erin are not only co-founders and owners of the winery; they are active in every aspect of the business, except the winemaking—which they leave to their winemaker, Joseph Ryan. A champion of minimal intervention winemaking, over the last decade Joseph has refined his techniques while working as assistant winegrower at Porter Creek, a family-run estate in the Russian River Valley, and as director of grower relations for Flowers Winery.

100% Pinot Noir, and a blend of 115,667, Calera, 777 and Pommard clones. This Sonoma Coast bottling is a blend of fruit-forward barrels from the Freestone and Petaluma Gap vineyard sites. The combination offers density of fruit and color while maintaining the aromatics that define the appellation. Primary fermentation with native yeasts and a small amount of stem inclusion. Aged in 228L French oak barrels, 25% new. Bottled at 8 months of élevage with a light filtration. Todd’s grandmother was a professional artist and is the source of the original Ernest portrait that adorns the label.