2023 Cep Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, West Sonoma Coast
The ideal expression of Pinot Noir to us is a wine that has body without heaviness and is full of flavor but graceful and elegant. The 2023 Cep Pinot Noir captures this essence and is just gorgeous. The aroma features bright fruits of raspberry, pomegranate, and cranberry with floral elements blowing through and a slightly brambly, anise quality giving ballast in the face of the high tones. It is full-flavored yet not rich, a quality I find very attractive and unique, especially at this price point. The acidity is mouth-watering though not aggressive. The tell-tale Peay Pinot Noir aromas of dried pine needle, jasmine tea, and earth linger in the aftertaste. This wine offers charm, complexity, and value.
Cep is the second label of Peay Vineyards. The Pinot Noir is made from barrels that do not go into one of the Peay Pinot Noirs and, oftentimes, many of the barrels from a specific block found in a Peay wine are also in this cuvée. This style of Pinot Noir is simply not found in wines at this price point as it is made to be Peay and has impeccable balance, finesse, and site expressiveness.
The ideal expression of Pinot Noir to us is a wine that has body without heaviness and is full of flavor but graceful and elegant. The 2023 Cep Pinot Noir captures this essence and is just gorgeous. The aroma features bright fruits of raspberry, pomegranate, and cranberry with floral elements blowing through and a slightly brambly, anise quality giving ballast in the face of the high tones. It is full-flavored yet not rich, a quality I find very attractive and unique, especially at this price point. The acidity is mouth-watering though not aggressive. The tell-tale Peay Pinot Noir aromas of dried pine needle, jasmine tea, and earth linger in the aftertaste. This wine offers charm, complexity, and value.