Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot noir 06
winery: Belle Pente
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot noir 06 - Tanzer score 92 points " Dark red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, candied cherry, black cardamom and mace. Open-knit red and dark berry flavors are impressively seamless, with slow-building floral and mineral notes adding complexity. Becomes spicier and sweeter on the finish, which is strikingly precise and very long. This wine's balance suggests that it will reward at least a few more years of patience."
This is the tenth year that we've made wine from the old Pommard block at Murto vineyard, which was planted in 1978. Since it's first release, our Murto vineyard Pinot has seduced wine lovers across the country with it's clean earthiness, bright red fruit, and intriguing, unique spiciness. It is often described by others as "sublimely Burgundian".
Warmer vintages are especially kind to higher elevation sites like Murto, allowing the grapes to attain more ripeness and concentration than in cooler years. This was indeed the case in 2006, with perhaps the most intensely flavored fruit we've ever harvested from this site. Although relatively high in alcohol, the wine maintains it's balance and elegance.
True to the vintage, this wine can be enjoyed now, and should be (in moderation, of course)! But please, do yourself a favor, and buy enough to squirrel some away to enjoy four or five years from now. The vineyard has a great track record for aging gracefully, and mature Murto Pinots are real treats!
MORE INFORMATION
Previous vintage notes: Belle Pente Murto
Vineyard Pinot noir 04 $34.95 The winery says:
High-toned spicy, earthy, red fruit
aromas explode from the glass and
expand into round, sweet fruit on
the palate. Elegant and focused, this
wine promises even more depth and
richness with a few years in the cellar.
Wine Spectator
91 points: " Lovely, delicate stuff, with pretty strawberry and spice and a hint of passion fruit as the flavors linger against refined tannins on the lithe frame. The finish lingers beautifully. Drink now through 2012. 525 cases made". –HS
