Bethel Heights Pinot Noir "Aeolian"

Named for the wind that defines the EolaAmity Hills appellation, the Aeolian Pinot Noir is savoury and elegant. Aromatics of bright strawberries, raspberry leaf and freshly turned soil are lifted by notes of pine bough and wild mint. The palate is gorgeously spiced as delicate flavours of clove, spiced orange peel and black tea come to the fore and enhance rich ripe strawberries and wild herbs. Energy, tension and depth all make themselves known. There's ample complexity and beautifully fine tannins that show this wine's ageability and grace.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Aeolian is darkly floral, as a mix of dried violets, lavender and incense forms an enticing bouquet. This is soothingly round and supple, showing a lick of salty minerality up front that perfectly offsets its ripe wild berry fruits. The 2022 leaves the palate stained in primary concentration, with a bitter blackberry tinge and edgy tannins that make for a lovely punctuation to the experience. The Aeolian hails from vines planted in 2001 at 700 feet in the higher elevations of Bethel Heights.

The 2022 Pinot Noir AEolian has intense aromas of roasted cranberries, Cara Cara oranges and raspberries with continually blossoming accents of forest floor, mixed tea leaves and spice. Though it's light-bodied with finely astringent tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, the palate offers highly concentrated, nuanced flavors and a very long, ultra spicy finish.