2022 Tondré Pinot Noir
Tondré Alarid and son Joe Alarid, both steeped in California’s agricultural history, planted Tondré Grapefield in 1997. Exposed southeast facing slopes, strong marine influence, and well-draining glacial soils are the recipe for ultra-premium fruit. Tondré Grapefield is SIP Certified, underlining the Alarids’ commitment to sustainable farming practices.
The grapes were completely destemmed after hand sorting. Gentle punch downs produced a wine with supple texture and soft tannins. The wine was transferred to 40% new French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and 11 months of aging.
On the nose is blackberry, highlighted by smoked meats and sweet baking spices. Flavors of black fruit, toasted caramel, and espresso bean are framed by a medium-full body with elegant tannins, making this wine extremely food friendly. A pork tenderloin or rack of lamb are both great pairing options.