Winemaker Notes
Once again, de Villiers has produced one of the most luxurious and dark-fruited expressions of Pinot Noir from Mt. Harlan. On the nose, aromas of candied blackberry, ripe strawberry and black cherry mingle with hints of white pepper and spice. The palate is smooth and lush, with velvety tannins and dramatic flavors of robust blackberry, cedar and sassafras driving to a long, impeccably balanced finish.
Production
After a cool winter, the 2020 growing season began with spring rains that replenished our soils on Mt. Harlan and set the stage for an excellent vintage. After a late-March budbreak, we enjoyed temperate, sunny days and cool nights throughout spring and summer, allowing the grapes to slowly ripen, while preserving the bright natural acids that we prize. With no significant heat events, the 2020 vintage produced age-worthy wines with enticing aromatics, lovely freshness and purity, and beautifully delineated varietal flavors.