Sumner Vineyards Pinot Noir – Beautiful

Last week I wrote a review of California Cowboy Red, a pinot noir from Sumner Vineyards. It was so good I needed to try another pinot noir from Sumner Vineyards this week.

This one doesn’t have a fun cowboy name, it’s simply called Sumner Vineyards Pinot Noir. Like the Cowboy Red, this one comes from Trinity County, California where Sumner’s vineyards, as well as their cattle ranch and hay fields, are located. While they’re not certified organic, getting that certification is part of their future plans. Therefore they don’t use pesticides on their vines.

As I mentioned in my previous review, Sumner is a small, limited production wine producer. And by the taste of their wines, they’re doing something right.

The nose on this wine is beautiful. It reveals cherry, raspberry and strawberry aromas married beautifully with cedar, black pepper and allspice. Some folks may find the spice to be too much, but I think it’s great. The palate is elegant and delicious, with a smooth mouthfeel and flavors of cherry, raspberry and spices. It finishes fairly long with well-balanced fruit and spice lingering on the palate.

It’s not worlds different from the Cowboy Red, just a bit more elegant and balanced.

Wine: Sumner Vineyards, Pinot Noir 
Varieties: Pinot noir
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: 13%
Rating: 90
Average price: $18.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.