Elizabeth Rose Pinot Noir 2023 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
Elizabeth Rose sources its Pinot Noir from the family-owned vineyards of Yountville in the southern sector of Napa Valley—an area far cooler than the valley floor’s warmer, more Cabernet-driven stretches. Nestled in an alluvial bowl shaped by the Napa River and flanked by the Stags Leap District to the east, Yountville benefits from consistent morning fog and a powerful maritime influence funneled in from San Pablo Bay. This cooling effect creates one of Napa’s most reliable microclimates for Pinot Noir, allowing the grapes to hang longer and accumulate flavor intensity while preserving delicacy and acidity.

The soils here are predominantly alluvial loams interspersed with gravel, sand, and occasional clay lenses, giving a mix of drainage and water retention ideal for Pinot’s sensitive root structures. The vines for Elizabeth Rose tend to be planted at moderate density on gently sloping parcels, with sunlight carefully moderated through canopy management to avoid overripeness—a real risk in Napa’s radiant summer months.

The 2023 growing season was marked by a long, temperate arc. A cool, steady spring set the stage for slow flowering. Summer brought warm days but no extreme heat spikes, with bay-influenced cool nights ensuring even ripening and excellent phenolic development. The resulting fruit was balanced, aromatic, and highly expressive—one of the more elegant and vibrant Pinot vintages Napa has produced in recent years.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Elizabeth Rose embraces a fresh, site-driven approach to Pinot Noir. Grapes are hand-picked early in the morning to retain natural fruit temperature, then sorted carefully to remove underripe clusters. The winery favors partial whole-berry fermentation in small stainless-steel or open-top tanks. This technique provides gentle extraction, enhancing the wine’s lifted red fruit aromatics and silky texture.

Fermentation proceeds with a mix of native and selected yeasts to retain purity while ensuring consistency. Cap management is precise—moderate punch-downs early for color and perfume, followed by softer pumpovers as tannins mature. Post-fermentation, the wine moves to French oak barrels for 8–10 months, with a restrained approach to new oak use. Typically, Elizabeth Rose employs a modest fraction of new barrels—just enough to provide structure, spice accents, and slow oxygenation without overshadowing the finesse of the fruit.

The philosophy emphasizes clarity, brightness, and a supple mouthfeel. The final blend is assembled with attention to balance: ripeness without heaviness, silkiness without softness, and aromatic purity without austerity. The 2023 bottling is a textbook example of the winery’s style—lithe, detailed, and quietly luxurious.

Tasting Notes
The 2023 Elizabeth Rose Pinot Noir opens with an elegant, layered bouquet that unfolds gradually as the wine aerates. Aromas center around vibrant red fruits: fresh strawberry, wild raspberry, red cherry skin, and pomegranate seed. A floral lift of rose petal and cherry blossom is joined by subtle spice notes—white pepper, allspice, and a touch of cinnamon stick. Underneath lies a whisper of forest floor, tea leaf, and crushed stone, giving complexity without overshadowing the wine’s brightness.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, sleek, and texturally refined. The attack is crisp and juicy, with cranberry and redcurrant leading, followed by cherry compote, raspberry coulis, and hints of blood orange. As the wine moves through the mid-palate, elegant tannins frame the fruit—fine, silky, and unobtrusive, but offering just enough structure to ground the wine. The oak is subtle, contributing faint tones of toasted vanilla, cocoa dust, and nutmeg.

What stands out most is the tension between ripeness and energy. The acidity is vibrant yet seamless, giving the wine levity and precision. A cooling herbal note—mint leaf, fennel frond, or even a touch of eucalyptus—adds lift. The finish is long and graceful, echoing with red fruit, floral tones, and a delicate minerality that leaves the palate refreshed and lightly perfumed.

This is a polished, modern Pinot Noir with freshness at its core—Napa richness shaped by a coastal sensibility.

Food Pairing & Service
The wine’s balance of bright acidity, supple fruit, and subtle savory edges makes it extremely versatile at the table. Its medium weight and refined tannins complement an array of dishes:

• Herb-roasted chicken with lemon and thyme
• Seared duck breast with cherry or blackberry gastrique
• Crispy-skinned salmon with fennel and citrus
• Mushroom risotto or wild mushroom tart
• Pork tenderloin with cranberry glaze or pomegranate molasses
• Soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Humboldt Fog, or Taleggio

Vegetarian pairings shine as well: grilled vegetables, farro salads with herbs and pomegranate, or roasted beet dishes with goat cheese are all ideal.

Serving Recommendations:
Serve at 55–60°F to maintain freshness and clarity of aromatics. A brief 20–30 minute decant helps unlock the floral complexity and soften the initial edge of acidity. The wine is expressive now but will age gracefully for 4–7 years, developing deeper notes of dried rose, sandalwood, and velvety red fruit.