2013PrincessPN2013 The Princess & the Peasant, Pinot Noir, Signal Ridge Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge.
Signal Ridge Vineyard, high above the Anderson Valley in the Mendocino Ridge AVA is the source for this new project by winemaker Stephanie Rivin, this is name to watch as her Princess and the Peasant Pinot Noir is a real beauty. Riven works closely with Nicole Scommegna at Signal Ridge Vineyard and between them they have put out some wonderful wines, the Signal Ridge Pinot is also a worthy effort, but I liked The Princess & the Peasant 2013 a tad better and chose to highlight it here, it really is a glorious and balanced wine with deep flavors and zesty vibrant acidity, there is lots of energy and vitality with silky tannin, as well as layered fruit. The 2013 The Princess & the Peasant Pinot Noir is a dark ruby in the glass and shows some black cherry, blueberry, plum and dried currants on the palate with a hint of floral tones, minty herb, rhubarb, mineral and a light cedar note, while the finish lingers with strawberry, apple skin and licorice root. The oak is very faint, subtle framing only and the wine has medium weight, coming in at about 13.9% alcohol, but the feel is excellent, with a blue and black fruit profile similar to what you find in Oregon and overall this is very stylish and tasty stuff, drink over the next 3 to 5 years, and be sure to keep an eye for this, as well as checking out all Signal Ridge and the other Rivin, Dan Rivin Lichen offerings too, all are lovely and exciting wines.
($32 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive

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