Black Stallion 2016 Pinot Noir, Carneros

Black Stallion Estate Winery was the exclusive recipient of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s USA Wine Producer of the Year trophy in 2017. Black Stallion celebrates the best of Napa Valley’s diverse growing regions carefully selecting grapes from an array of vineyards, or in some cases single vineyard blocks or a single row within a block and blending only the best lots- ensuring distinct wines with finesse, harmony and depth of character. 2016 was a fine year for growing exceptional Pinot Noir in Los Carneros. A slightly early bud break was followed by a mild spring. Warm days at the end of the growing season allowed grapes to progress to perfect ripeness. Grapes were hand-picked and gently de-stemmed into small open-top fermenters for optimal  color  extraction,  where  they  were  inoculated  with  Burgundian  yeast  selections. Following fermentation, the free-run wine was divided into a combination of French and American oak barrels, while the remaining skins were gently pressed to extract more color. Dozens of lots were barreled separately by vineyard, as well as individual vineyard blocks to mature separately for ten months. The barrels used were 85% French oak and 15% American oak with 20% new. A frequent award winner in the past this 2016 shows why with plush red fruit aromas of strawberry and cherry seasoned with spice. The red fruit flavors are extended on the palate with strawberry and Bing cherry coupled with notes of black tea and brown sugar.  Nicely polished tannins give it pleasing mouthfeel and the flavors linger on the balanced, dry finish.