2016 Tolosa Winery 'Primera' Pinot Noir Edna Valley

Winemaker Notes:  Deep ruby color with a purple rim. Enticing aromas of boysenberry preserve, vanilla bean, floral notes of violet, with mineral notes of crushed stone, tar and herbal tones of lavender. Primera has a silky entrance on the palate showcasing nuanced flavors of wild strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. The lavender carries onto the palate with notes of thyme and fresh oregano. Flavor of raspberry puree lingers on the finish. Primera is a big, balanced Pinot Noir from start to finish, exhibiting a rich mouthfeel.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Jeb Dunnuck - "Lastly, the 2016 Pinot Noir Primera comes from the Edna Valley, and despite being a cooler region (one of the coolest in California), this wine is no lightweight, revealing a deep ruby color as well as a powerful bouquet of cassis, plums, toasted baking spices, bouquet garni, and subtle background oak. With plenty of fruit, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannin, and terrific overall balance, it’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and I suspect evolve nicely for upwards of a decade."


Wine Enthusiast - "Lush and plump aromas of vanilla, black-cherry sauce, roasted rhubarb, strawberry and slate show on the nose of this producer's top-tier bottling. The palate is soft at first and then the oaky tannins arise to give structure, which is required for the plush ripe baked strawberry fruit. The flavors still need time to come together."


Wine Spectator - "A big and well-honed red, featuring some savory forest floor notes to the dried berry and red fruit flavors. Minerally midpalate, with a light, spicy finish. Short-term aging should make this shine. Best from 2020 through 2023."