Quick Sip: Encanto Vineyards 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir

Hello Friends,

Today’s Quick Sip is Encanto Vineyards' 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir. I received this bottle from Gold Medal Wine Club which specializes exclusively in small production, artisan wines that are hand-selected and usually not available on the general market. This wine comes from the club’s Pinot Noir series which includes two "hidden gems" per month from boutique producers in California, Washington, Oregon, as well as other international wine regions.

Encanto, which means ‘enchanted’ in Spanish, was founded in 2008 by first generation Mexican American vintner Rosaura Segura and her husband Enrique Lopez. Their winery is a tribute to all farm workers who make up the labor backbone of the US agriculture industry giving particular honor to their families, many of whom worked in California vineyards. Rosaura’s father, Don Enrique Segura, settled in Napa in the mid 1950’s and was one of the very first Mexican American farm workers and vineyard managers. Following a stint at Beringer Winery, Mr. Segura tended to the vines for the Mondavi brothers at Charles Krug until his passing in 1983.

The couple’s limited-production 2010 Pinot Noir, grown on the Napa side of the Carneros appellation, is expressive, concentrated, and a pleasure to drink right now – especially if you prefer riper, more fruit-centric styles of Pinot Noir. For further information and where you can find this wine, please see my tasting notes below.

Encanto Vineyards 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir

Review: Encanto Vineyards 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir (SRP $50): Medium deep ruby in color, this opulently fragrant and appealing Pinot Noir showcases generous ripe black cherry, black raspberry and purple stone fruit flavors surrounded by brown baking spices and faint tones of sweet oak. In the mouth, it is attractively textured and expansive with a fruit-forward character balanced by well-integrated tannins and adequate supporting acidity, ending in a lasting, fruit-driven finish. While pleasurable all on its own, this Pinot Noir will marry well with roasted game, lamb, or seared duck breast. Only 146 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California. Other info: ABV 15%, aged 17 months in French oak, cork enclosure). Rating: 91 Points. Click here for discount pricing at Gold Medal Wine Club or call 1.800.266.8888.

Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: This wine was provided for review. Thoughts are my own.

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