2021 Haynes Vineyard, Forgeron, Pinot Noir, Coombsville, Napa Valley, California, USA

The 2021 Pinot Noir Forgeron is gorgeous. Bright and floral, with terrific energy, the 2021 is immediately captivating. Lifted floral accents open first, followed by sweet red-toned fruit, spice, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco. There's a good bit of whole clusters, but the stems aren't obvious at all in the flavor profile—just the tannic feel and overall structure. Evocative of a Martini Pinot from Monte Rosso, this old-school Napa Pinot from the 1967 planting is just beautiful.

Drink 2024 - 2033

A textural marvel of a wine with incredible aromatics and complex flavours. Rich, lifted cherry notes, cedarwood, brown spices, and cherry cola. Cedar-laced tannins cling to the palate, and the juicy acidity makes for a delicious Pinot Noir that is the most powerful in the lineup. It is a barrel selection of the best lots in the cellar. Winemaker Nico Cueva, the first winemaker at Kosta Browne after Michael Browne relinquished the reins, says his ethos for this program is to preserve as much fruit as possible. Cueva joined for the 2019 harvest and fully made the wines in 2020. This wine was aged in 87% new oak and 63% whole cluster — just over 1.2 hectares of Pinot. Readers will want to pay careful attention to the labels, which boast somewhat whimsical information, such as exact percentages of two decimal places of alcohol levels and specific details about oak ageing precisely spelt out. Lawrence Wine Estates CEO Carlton McCoy is giving Cueva the freedom and canvas to let his hair down and show what grit and determination can do for a Burgundian-focused programme in the heart of the Coombsville AVA. 400 cases.

Drink 2023 - 2043

Bright aromas of hibiscus with citrus and roses. So floral. Medium-bodied with a brightness and crunchiness. From a very low density vineyard of Martini clones, planted in 1968. Drink now.