Bouchaine is the oldest continuously operating winery in Carneros, a region located on the southern tip of Napa Valley. In the late 1880s, a Missouri-born settler named Boon Fly planted grapes and fruit trees on the property. An Italian winemaker named Johnny Garetto bought the land in 1927 and farmed it until 1961, when he sold to Beringer.
The shallow clay loam soils of Bouchaine are perfectly suited for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These soils force the vines to dig deep for water, promoting depth and concentration as the roots struggle to penetrate the ribbons of obsidian, quartz, clay and volcanic deposits. Of Bouchaine’s 87 planted acres, 31 are dedicated to Chardonnay, 46 to Pinot Noir, with the remaining 10 devoted to Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Syrah. Bouchaine’s 100-acre estate vineyard lies on the southern border of Napa Valley’s Carneros district, overlooking the San Francisco bay with the financial district in the distance. Fog, wind, and the cold night time temperatures of this unique geographical area lend a distinctive regional identity to the Pinot Noir.
Wine Enthusiast scored this wine 93 points saying, "Outstanding depth and concentration in the fruit flavors makes this well-structured, medium-bodied wine stand out from the pack. It has a sense of quiet tension, holding its just-ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors gently in vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. Best from 2025."
Wine Spectator scored this wine 91 points saying, "Shows steeped raspberry and blackberry notes that meld nicely with black tea, bramble and wood spice through the finish. Leans to the darker shade of the fruit spectrum, but maintains detail and freshness. Drink now."
Alcohol % | 14.5% |
---|---|
Vintage | 2019 |
Varietal | Pinot Noir |
Region | California |
Country | United States |
Appellation | Carneros |
Bottle Size | 750 ml |
Type | Red |
Reviews