2022 Barnett Vineyards - Pinot Noir Sonoma Tina Marie (750ml)
Barnett Vineyards was founded in 1983 by Fiona and Hal Barnett high atop Spring Mountain, where they carved fourteen acres of terraced vineyard into rocky, mountainside soil suited to Cabernet Sauvignon and its Bordeaux companions. While the estate built its reputation on those mountain reds, the Barnetts also sought out cooler sites for Pinot Noir, eventually sourcing fruit from the Tina Marie Vineyard in Sonoma County's Green Valley of Russian River Valley, a small sub-appellation known for its gold-ridge limestone soils and reliable coastal fog.
The Tina Marie Vineyard benefits from foggy mornings that give way to warm afternoon sun, a rhythm that allows grapes to hang late into the season while retaining fresh acidity. For the 2022 vintage, three Pinot Noir clones underwent a five-day cold soak in small open-top fermenters before fermentation began with native yeast, later joined by cultured Burgundian and German strains to add complexity. Gentle pump-overs continued through fermentation, building structure without heavy extraction, before the wine settled into barrel to develop further.
The 2022 Tina Marie opens with a fragrant nose of pomegranate, cherry blossom, and white pepper, joined by fresh truffle and a dusting of cocoa and cinnamon. On the palate, raspberry and strawberry jam mingle with a distinct gravel minerality, framed by soft, well-integrated tannins and bright acid. The finish lingers with fresh cherry. It pairs beautifully with roast duck breast, grilled salmon, or a simple herb-roasted chicken.