We’ve featured a bevy of wines from Anderson’s Conn Valley, but today marks the first time that we’re presenting a Pinot Noir. An, my oh my, what a Pinot this is. Today’s 2013 Napa Valley Pinot Noir hails from the vintage that Wine Spectator calls “Another huge crop of uniformly exceptional quality; slow to open and ageworthy.”

The crimson coloration on this Pinot is stunning. There is a light bricking around the very edge. The nose promises a Pinot grown in a cooler climate, with notes of rhubarb, cassis, as well as watermelon and maraschino cherry. The leather and pipe tobacco come through subtly as well. On the palate, a top-notch oak profile comes through with cigar-box and toffee. The plum compote of the fruit component integrates very well with fresh fruit notes of red cherry, with an unexpected tropical fruit note of guava near the finish. This Pinot Noir has guts, with soft, yet formidable tannin that really delivers the fruit notes with impressive bravado. If you’re a Pinot Noir lover that is saddened by the tyranny of Cabernet when served a steak, this is the one for the coup!

This wine was made by winemaker Robert Hunt, who has become a real winemaker of interest for us. We’re bonafide fans, to be sure. When Robert is not making intriguing and beguiling wines at Anderson’s Conn Valley, he’s making wine at Napa’s Clos Pegase Winery. Past postings? Well, Robert has worked at ‘little’ wineries like Pine Ridge Vineyards, Colgin Cellars, Ovid Vineyards and others of note.

Please Note: The winery advises us that this wine will not be available to us again. They’re this close to selling out of this great vintage.