The Hein Vineyard has always been a favorite of ours. Located in the far, deep northwestern end of the Anderson Valley, the proximity to the Navarro River mouth and the cool Pacific breezes make this one of our coldest sites. As a result, this is always one of the lighter Pinot Noirs in our stable. Having produced wine from the site since 2003, it typically yields an elegant and complex wine brimming with floral aromas of violets and gamey scents of wet earth.

The 2014 vintage was one marked by a long cool summer that got a few days of warmth right at the end of the growing season. This is just what the fruit needed to give it a true sense of ripeness and help it shake off the last hints of green. The nose is a bit of cardamom and cola-root while the flavors are light with lifting spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The red fruit characteristics of this wine are dominated by rhubarb and red currant with a little piquant raspberry. The tannins are a little more “rustic” with an dusty/earthy quality that melds with a light black tea essence. This is a keeper… enjoy now and for the next 5 years.