2023 Salty Goats Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir

94 POINTS: The 2023 Salty Goats Pinot Noir is sourced from the Red Car Estate in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation on the west Sonoma Coast. It exudes a fragrant sea-spray freshness with vivid mineral nuances and captivating rose petals, cherry, and spiced plum aromas. The palate is layered with brown spices, blood orange, and citrus zest, offering medium-bodied richness with exceptional fruit intensity. This fabulous and exciting Pinot Noir displays excellent freshness and restraint without any overripeness, striking a perfect balance. Vibrant and refined. This wine is the brainchild of partner winemakers Joe Harden and Phil Holbrook, who have been making wine together at Nickel & Nickel for nearly a decade. While passionate about Napa Cabernet, their after-hours preference for lighter wines like Pinot Noir inspired them to launch Salty Goats in 2020 as an outlet for experimenting with their favourite varieties. Native yeast fermented in an open top, on skins for 14 days, including 30% whole clusters, with malolactic in barrel, aged for 12 months in 30% new French oak, no rackings, bottled unfined and unfiltered.