Winemaker's Notes
Medium-light color (for us). Very high-toned perfume like roses and the old-fashioned drawer ‘sachet.’ with a touch of roasted beet is on the nose at first. These perfumes give way to a persistent savory core in the mouth. For a wine that is not heavy, it has remarkable center-palate viscosity on the very long, graceful finish. There is a bit of cinnamon that creeps into view briefly as well. With the 2018 vintage many of our Pinot Noirs we let them rest in barrel through three winters before bottling as opposed to the one winter common to producers in our area. I have the space and the inclination to explore boundaries.
On being open Day 2: Nose is more balanced between rose and beet. Mouthfeel is even more cohesive and even. The long, graceful finish is still there. Day 3: Nose has morphed to red beets and red zinger tea (hibiscus, rose hips, etc). Flavors by mouth really follow aromas perfectly at this point. This is one of the most delicate, graceful, sneaky vintages of King Family Pinot Noir, especially if given time in the glass or bottle which speaks to a long, lovely aging potential.
Judi Scherrer –
Vinous – August 2022
The 2018 Pinot Noir King Vineyard is a pretty, easygoing wine whose only real shortcoming is being surrounded by a collection of truly stunning wine. Soft and open-knit, with terrific brightness, the 2018 will drink well early, but also has the energy to age well for years. Stylistically, it is closet to the Hallberg. Sweet dried cherry, crushed leaves, tobacco and light earthy undertones linger. 92 points. Antonio Galloni