Eden Rift 'Valliant' Pinot Noir 2018

James Suckling 93
Lots of bright cherry and strawberry aromas with hints of cream. Medium to full-bodied with a medium, round-
textured mouth-feel and a delicious finish. Fruity and yummy. Drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck 90
Leading off the reds, the 2018 Pinot Noir Central Coast reveals a semi-translucent ruby hue to go with classy notes of spiced cherries, flowers, and loamy earth. With beautiful up-front fruit as well as some classic, Burgundian earthiness and complexity, it's a little gem of a Pinot Noir to enjoy over the coming 3-4 years.
by Jeb Dunnuck, JD, 2021.

Wine Enthusiast 92
Editors Choice
This affordable series from the Eden Rift team offers great value with the same level of winemaking. Tight aromas of boysenberry, wet clay, dried flowers and a hint of pepper lead into a hearty palate of rich dark fruit, black licorice and violet. A chalky tension rises on the finish.
by Wine Enthusiast, MK, 2020.

Tasting notes
The Valliant Pinot Noir showcases the bright, fruit-forward nature of Pinot Noir grown along Californias Central Coast. The cool, maritime influences of the Pacific Ocean provide the fruit an extended period on the vine whereby the grapes develop increased flavor. In the bouquet, this bottling shows notes of wild berries, spiced cranberry, black cherry as well as purple flowers and vanilla cream. Replete with acidity, the wine shows medium weight with supple tannins and a long, chalky finish.

Estate
Under Vine Since 1849 Eden Rift is the oldest continuously producing estate vineyard in California. Located just 20 miles from the Monterey Bay, the 120-acre estate rests on the San Andreas Faultline and is part of the Cienega Valley AVA. Early vintners saw potential in the limestone and dolomite-rich soil, planting Pinot Noir on the estate in 1860. Post prohibition, the focus on Pinot Noir & Chardonnay was lost until 2016 when Christian Pillsbury acquired the estate. Christian assembled a team of young industry professionals starting with winemaker Cory Waller to once again create some of Californias most vivid energetic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The extreme terraces and diverse terroir in a single contiguous valley make Californias oldest estate vineyard one of its most exciting new projects.

Vinification
Sourced exclusively from Eden Rift Vineyards in the Gavilan mountains, 20 miles from Monterey Bay, this wine is primarly comprised of Dijon clones - 115, 777 & 828. Vinified in separate lots, all the fruit was gently crushed, de-stemmed, and fermented in open-top tanks on native yeasts. Once pressed, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels from assorted coopers. Ultimately, the wine was barrel aged for ten months before being bottled in September.

Located just 20 miles from the Monterey Bay, Eden Rift is the oldest continually producing vineyard in California. Planted in 1849 by Theophile Vache, the 120-acre estate rests on the San Andreas Faultline and is part of the Cienega Valley AVA. The winery is located just two miles from famed Pinot Noir producer, Calera whose founder Josh Jensen sought out the limestone and dolomite-rich soils. Before Josh, early vintners procured some of the first Pinot Noir planting in California at Eden Rift beginning in 1860. Post prohibition, the focus on Pinot Noir & Chardonnay was lost until Christian Pillsbury acquired the estate in 2016. Christian assembled a team of young industry professionals starting with winemaker Cory Waller to once again create some of California's most vivid energetic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The extreme terraces and diverse terroir in a single contiguous valley make California's oldest estate vineyard it's most exciting new project.