2019 Dominic Pinot Noir

The name Dominic comes from Latin roots meaning ‘belonging to god’ or ‘of the master’. Pinot noir is often considered the holy grail of wine, and to make it well it demands a great deal of attention, skill and experience. Its reputation stems from its notorious fickle temperament due to its delicate and sensitive nature. The grape's thin skin makes it particularly vulnerable to a variety of environmental factors, including extreme weather, disease, and pests. It is highly susceptible to rot, mildew, and fungal infections. Additionally, Pinot noir vines require a cool climate to thrive, but they are also very sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can affect the quality and consistency of the fruit. In short, it is a pain in the ass.

At the dinner table with Grandad Rorick, Matthew became enthralled with what seemed like endless variety in the different types of wine from all over the globe that had traveled great distances and often across decades to come tell their story in his glass. The bottles of Burgundy that Grandad poured, however, left a deeper mark. It was in those bottles that Matthew found the inspiration to study Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis, and to pursue a winemaking path that would eventually lead him to purchasing his vineyard in 2013 – a vineyard that included a small patch of Pinot noir. A trip to the Jura with Mara in 2019 revealed striking similarities in soil, elevation, growing season, and seasonal temperatures, and with all this in mind Matthew returned to RHV with a new perspective on the possibilities of Pinot noir on his vineyard. 

This Pinot Noir presents a captivating profile with a long, lingering savory edge that speaks to its complexity and depth. Notes of leather and beeswax intertwine with hints of morel mushroom, grounding the wine in a very earthy character that is both vibrant and intriguing. Bright red wild cranberry and tart cherry bring a lively freshness to the palate, balanced by a subtle touch of clove that adds warmth and spice. This is a wine built to age, with its inherent brightness promising to evolve gracefully over the next 30+ years, allowing the earthy tones and savory nuances to deepen and mature, offering an exceptional experience for those patient enough to wait.