2018 Chanin Fortified Pinot Noir

[Alex Bridgeman]

From California. Gavin Chanin joined the Port Forum at a recent tasting and brought a blinded 50cl bottle with him. To date, this is the only fortified wine made at Chanin Wines. Local spirit is used to fortify the partially fermented wine to 19%. The cap is punched down during fermentation but the extraction is gentle, as is typical for a Pinot Noir. The fruit used is from the organic vineyards and the wine is aged 24 months in aged French oak barrels for 24 months before being bottled. No sediment had formed in the 4 years the wine had been in bottle.

Tasted blind, the wine is a lovely rose red colour, uniform from rim to centre and around 60% opaque. The nose is distinctly fruity, strawberries and star fruit - a very interesting combination of red and yellow fruit; beautifully pronounced and very expressive. The strawberry comes through on the palate, ripe without being sweet with a distinct bitter undertone and very gentle tannins. The fruit is generous, very elegant and perfumed, turning into jellied raspberry fruit on the aftertaste and long finish. The finish is more interesting, with fruit and liquorice root playing around together for several minutes. Not unlike a Maury in style, the wine is a lovely addition to the world of fortified wines. 90/100.

[mcoulson]

This was really very nice indeed and all that needed adding to it is a warm summer evening and friends to share the bottle with .....