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Winery:
Witness Tree Winery

$47.95 Regular

$43.16
in any 12 bottle order or Build a Case

Review:

One of Witness Tree's three Reserve Pinots, made from a tiny block of vines that sits on top of a small basalt outcropping. Winemaker Steven Westby describes the vines as producing wine with "the next level of quality, with depth, silky tannins, elegant and graceful."

Made from 100% Pommard clone vines with almost 30 years of age, the 2009 wine is inky dark in color with explosive aromas of black and red fruits, vanilla and exotic baking spices. On the palate the wine shows finesse and elegance while maintaining the weight and flavor intensity of a truly exceptional vintage. In the mouth there are substantial notes of blackberries, cherries, sarsaparilla and spice with a touch of toasted French oak and vanilla. Only 92 cases were produced. - the winery

2008 Vintage

It's dangerous to say that I'll judge all future Witness Tree Reserve Pinots on the 08 Benchmark - the 08 vintage being so outstanding and all. But it's that good, I have no choice. This wine is unstoppable. Seeming dark when it's poured and smelled - lots of blackberries and black cherries -it bursts with red fruit, especially a sweet summer raspberry thing that held me captive in wine nirvana. Very velvet, the palate-coating texture is the perfect partner for the vibrant red fruit, earthy cream and cinnamon. Subtle tannins show up in the finish and help the flavors saunter on. - Marcus

Less than 100 cases - only 4 barrels - were made from the 1.3 acre Benchmark, a tiny, unique section of Witness Tree's estate vineyard that is own-rooted Pommard planted in 1982. The Benchmark block gets 20 minutes more sunlight than the main vineyard, a factor Steven attributes as contributing to its distinctiveness.