You may recognize the Haynes Vineyard name - from wineries like Enfield, Ancien, Y. Rousseau, Failla, and others… some of whom charge upwards of $75 for their Haynes Pinot Noir.

We caught a lucky break when we were offered today’s fantastic Pinot Noir. As soon as we tasted today’s Kitson Wines 2014 Haynes Vineyard Coombsville Napa Valley Pinot Noir, we purchased every last case that the winery had. At today’s price, this wine will not last for long. Grab some!

It’s a beautiful shade of maroon with light bricking around the outer edge and a transparency that suggests medium body. The nose instantly fascinates you with the complex terroir of an unusual Coombsville Pinot, with notes of raspberry, hibiscus, brambles, barnyard, olive, fresh earth, straw, and honey. Wow! The palate is rich and brooding with the raspberry becoming more concentrated along with the curious brambles component. There’s an interesting vegetal quality that contrasts and compliments the cherry compote and anise nuance. Don’t let the different flavor profile fool you - this wine is very approachable and easy to drink with lush, silky tannins that deliver an exceptionally smooth wine. This complex Pinot Noir deserves a complex meal. If you’ve got a favorite French restaurant, this would be an excellent wine to bring for the coq au vin.

Winemaker Brad Kitson shows off his considerable talents with today’s delicious, elegant Pinot Noir. We first met Brad when he was winemaker for Farella Park Winery in Coombsville. Back then, Coombsville wasn’t a designated AVA (American Viticultural Area) yet. It was recognized as an up and coming area, and in 2011 it received its official designation. In fact, Brad Kitson was one of the co-authors of the Coombsville AVA application.

The Coombsville AVA is an American Viticultural Area located within the Napa Valley AVA just east of the city of Napa. The appellation varies from near sea level at the Napa River on the west to 1,900 feet at the ridge of the Vaca Mountain Range. Its proximity to San Pablo Bay contributes to the temperate climate of Coombsville. Cooling effects of marine air and fog occur almost daily during the growing season, arriving earlier and lingering longer than in the more northern regions of Napa Valley. Temperatures are less extreme during the winter frost season. The Coombsville soils are dominated by the volcanic rhyolitic tuff sedimentary rock and lava flows of the Vaca Range on the eastern side of the Napa Valley. Located in the wide alluvial deposits created by the wearing down of the hillsides the Coombsville soils contain abundant rock, gravel, and, in some areas, are layered with volcanic ash deposits from… Mount George, where today’s wine was born.

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Here’s what the wine press has to say:

92 Points - Prince of Pinot