2024 Peay Vineyards Ama Estate Pinot Noir, West Sonoma Coast
The 2024 Ama makes a strong case for why this might be the “best” 2024 Peay Pinot Noir out of the gate. The fruit aromas on the nose are nervy and bright with raspberry, rhubarb, and apple skin held down by base noted lead mineral aromas. This is a fresh and bright expression of Ama and does not have the weight or cherry robustness found in warmer vintages (like 2017 or 2013) and more than compensates with elegance, harmony, and complexity of flavors.
$75/btl during release, $80/btl post release
Last July we tasted every vintage of Ama we have made since inception in 2009. I have always liked Ama but, admittedly, this cuvée has lived in the shadow of Pomarium and Scallop Shelf who were released into the world 4 years earlier. Though they had a head start, the library tasting made clear that the youngest child has all the character and personality to not only be yummy and promising on release but to also become something equally as special, perhaps more special, as time goes by.
The 2024 Ama makes a strong case for why this might be the “best” 2024 Peay Pinot Noir out of the gate. The fruit aromas on the nose are nervy and bright with raspberry, rhubarb, and apple skin held down by base noted lead mineral aromas. This is a fresh and bright expression of Ama and does not have the weight or cherry robustness found in warmer vintages (like 2017 or 2013) and more than compensates with elegance, harmony, and complexity of flavors. If opening in the near term, I recommend a decant (as I do with all our young wines, including whites) to let exuberant youthful flavors calm down a little and more base noted aromas to emerge. After an hour decant, the 2024 Ama was singing with cherry notes coming to the fore and a darker note lingering on the very long finish. A great wine.