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WINE REVIEW: Wente 2021 Pinot Noir, Baily Hill, Central Coast, CA ($20)


by Andrew Chalk


This richly flavorful pinot noir is ideal for current consumption with veal, pork, red sauce pasta dishes, stews and soups. It has abundant fruit, civilized tannins, and a long, earthy finish.


TASTING NOTES

NAME:

Wente 2021 Pinot Noir, Baily Hill, Central Coast, CA ($20)


COMMENTS

APPEARANCE


Clarity

clear

Intensity

medium

Color

ruby



NOSE


Condition

clean

Intensity

medium

Aroma Characteristics

rasapberry, herbs, forest floor,



PALATE


Sweetness

dry

Acidity

medium plus

Tannin

medium/chewy

Alcohol

medium

Body

medium

Flavor Intensity

medium plus

Flavor characteristics

raspberry, black pepper, herbs (thyme, marjoram), pencil lead

Other observations

ripe fruit

Finish

medium plus



Quality assessment

Good.

Agability

Not suitable.


FROM THE WINERY

Wente Vineyards Announces Debut of Baily Hill Pinot Noir

The storied family winery unveils Baily Hill, a Central Coast Pinot Noir and one of the first two additions to the Wente Vineyards core portfolio in over a decade

 

LIVERMORE, Calif. (April 11, 2024)Wente Vineyards, America’s longest continuously owned and operated family winery, today unveils the newest wine in its flagship portfolio, the Wente Vineyards Baily Hill Pinot Noir (SRP: $20). A Central Coast appellated Pinot Noir, Baily Hill joins the Mount Diablo Highlands Red Blend, which debuted in December 2023, as two of the first new additions to Wente Vineyards’ core portfolio in over a decade.

Baily Hill is named for Baily Little, godfather to fourth-generation winegrower Eric Wente. Baily chose this picturesque perch nestled on the southern side of Riva Ranch Vineyard to grow Pinot Noir in Arroyo Seco, California. He and the Wente family recognized the profound impact of the Pacific Ocean’s serene coastal climate that provided a perfect sanctuary for nurturing high-quality Pinot Noir. Baily's foresight and the family's careful stewardship of the land merged, and the hillside stands as a testament to their shared love of Pinot Noir, transforming each bottle into a vessel carrying the essence of the Central Coast’s unique terroir.


For decades, the Wente family has stood as trailblazers in the realm of Central Coast Pinot Noir, their legacy woven into the rolling vineyards of Monterey since the 1960s. This latest addition to the esteemed portfolio is an inviting and delectable Pinot Noir that effortlessly embodies the signature Wente Vineyard style. With its fruit-forward profile, the 2021 Pinot Noir strikes a harmonious balance, marrying luscious flavors of bright red and dark cherry, raspberry, and plum with a refreshing undertone. It beautifully captures the essence of the Central Coast, a region kissed by the gentle breezes of Monterey Bay, imparting a unique coolness that elevates the wine to extraordinary heights.


"The debut of the Bailey Hill Pinot Noir marks an exciting time for us here at Wente Vineyards," said Niki Wente, Director of Vineyard Operations. "As one of the first additions to our core portfolio in a decade, this wine embodies our ongoing drive to innovate and create beautiful varietal driven wines. With all the quintessential characteristics of our prized Central Coast terroir, Baily Hill pays tribute to our heritage and sets a new standard for quality and craftsmanship at this price point. We are thrilled to introduce this approachable and delicious Pinot Noir to the world."


The Wente Vineyards Baily Hill Pinot Noir is part of the winery’s Coastal Vineyard Series and is now available in national and international markets. For additional details or inquiries, please visit Wente Vineyards’ official website at wentevineyards.com.

 

About Wente Vineyards:

Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation as the longest continuously operated, family-owned winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, with women leading the charge from grape to glass. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide.

 

In 2010, it joined the top 10% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes and designation for both their estate vineyards and winery. In April 2022, the winery won the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award. This award is given to one winery each year and recognizes leadership in sustainable practices that span both its vineyards and winery as well as the estate’s socially responsible initiatives that benefit its employees and greater community.

 

Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards – Wente Family Estates’ flagship estate label – is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, cave tours,  music events, unparalleled wedding venues and The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. For more information, visit wentevineyards.com.


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