Pinotphiles, please welcome our first Ed Kurtzman made Pinot in da house! 94 points and nearly 60% OFF!

Bernardus, Chalone, Testarossa, Fort Ross, ROAR, August West, Freeman… WHAT A RESUME.

Mansfield-Dunne is one of his smaller clients, flying under the radar, with minuscule amounts made from two estate vineyards off the Rodeo Drive of Santa Lucia Highlands.

Peterson Vineyard sits a stone’s throw from Garys’ and Rosella’s - two famed sites that adorn the dreams of cult Pinot lovers from the likes of Kosta Browne and Pisoni. You read that right dear Operatives, that’s the kind of terroir this $25 deal comes from.

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous has the backstory, “Another project overseen by the highly experienced and well-traveled Ed Kurtzman, Mansfield-Dunne produces a range of fruit-driven, seductive wines that deliver serious bang for the buck given their quality. Sourced from their two estate vineyards, Peterson (11 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and Cortada Alta (42 acres of young vines of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Viognier), these are wines of excellent detail and distinctly energetic character, traits that those who have followed Kurtzman’s work will no doubt recognize.”

And recognize we did! We also took the “serious bang for the buck given their quality” part and slashed it by more than half off like a hyped-up Ninja would. Still, it comes fully loaded with aromas and flavors of red fruits, mingled with dusty earth, all served in an envelope of chocolatey tannins and vivid acidity. Thrown in are flowers and minerals too! It’s a complete Pinot, with a decade of upside, seriously made, as the finish fans out endlessly and effortlessly with new intricacies, on its knees to be paired with duck or salmon. Can hear you saying are we Dunne yet so that we can stuff the lockers?

Not much was made, or is there to be had, will go quickly.

94 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Vivid red. A highly complex bouquet evokes fresh red berries, potpourri and Asian spices. A smoky mineral flourish adds nervy lift. Offers lively, mineral-accented raspberry, kirsch, blood orange and candied rose flavors that pick up a spicy nuance with air. Shows impressive depth but carries no excess weight. Unfurls slowly on the finish, which shows wonderful definition and strong, red fruit-driven persistence. Drink 2023-2032.”