2020 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

The warmth during harvest is reflected in the wine with the fruit notes driving the profile. Many blocks usually found in the Estate Pinot Noirs are in this blend and, as a result, you find some of the blood orange aromas from Scallop Shelf (due to the Pommard selection) and cherry notes from Ama (block 7 suitcase clone) playing leading roles in the aroma. The palate is soft, juicy and round with some cherry licorice and mineral notes added. The finish has slightly salivating acidity with hints of the earthy, dried forest floor notes common to our wines though less than in the 2019 or 2018 Sonoma Coast Pinots. Due to the fruit-driven vintage and winemaking decisions (no new oak), this wine is fully-integrated despite its youth and is ready to strut itself right now. I recommend a little decant to let the wine emerge and I found it even more energetic and expressive on day two.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Peay Vineyards is a first-generation family winery. Husband and wife, Nick Peay & Vanessa Wong, grow and make the wine and brother, Andy Peay, and his wife Ami, sell the wine and run the business.

All wines are made from grapes grown on our 53-acre estate vineyard located above a river gorge in the far northwestern corner of the Sonoma Coast, 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean at Sea Ranch. We sit in the chilly inversion layer with fog and wind from the Ocean maintaining cool temperatures with plenty of sunlight.

Winemaker Vanessa Wong left her position as winemaker at Peter Michael Winery in 2001 to launch Peay Vineyards. Formerly she worked at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Domaine Jean Gros and Hirsch Winery.

We farm organically and maintain our licenses for fish friendly farming and integrated pest management. The health of our vineyard dictates these approaches to farming and making wine. We also run on bio-diesel at the vineyard and solar power at both the vineyard and winery.