“English Hill Vineyard” is under ten miles from the Pacific, outside Occidental. Cool-climate and windy. The Withers Pinot Noir English Hill reminds me of a Santa Lucia Highlands style with its exceptional concentration and richness for a cool climate Pinot. Could be the thick skins from the wind. I get ripe, slightly liqueur-ish red cherry and raspberry flavors with bits of black tea, allspice, vanilla, rosewater, violets and pomegranate. Surprising for a 13% alcohol Pinot. Medium-bodied, creamy texture, soft tannins. Delicious to drink anytime.
Winegrowing Notes from The Withers:
The Withers Pinot Noir English Hill was aged in 15% new French oak barrels (Tonnelerie Remond). The remaining cooperage was 1-10 year old Francois Frères barrels. The wine was harvested by hand and fermented with 35% whole clusters and ambient yeasts at cool temperatures after a cold soak. We employed no fining or filtration, and racked only prior to bottling in September, 2016.
Read all my The Withers reviews HERE.
