The 2022 growing season in the Napa Valley began with a mild spring that warmed into a temperate summer. The grapes for this Carneros Pinot Noir matured smoothly and steadily, with a heat spike in early September that helped ripen the fruit to our ideal brix. The 2022 Carneros Pinot Noir is a prime example of the rich and balanced wine we are known for.

This wine is a blend of several organically certified Carneros vineyards, including ZD’s own Carneros Estate. Each individual vineyard lot was hand harvested separately at optimal maturity and gently destemmed with 30% of the berries left intact. Hand punch downs every six hours during the fermentation ensured a gentle extraction of color and tannin followed by 10 months of aging in 100% French Oak barrels.

This Pinot Noir has a beautiful garnet rose color to the rim of the glass. Aromas of ripe raspberries and fresh-picked strawberries blend with hints of baking spice and black tea notes. The palate is full and lush with mingling flavors of berry jam with just the right amount of toasted oak nuances. Balanced with a bright and lingering finish, this wine is drinking wonderfully now and will age nicely for years to come.