Community Tasting Note

forceberry wrote:

Thursday, February 16, 2023 - Knox Alexander is a blend of the best lots sourced from Le Bon Climat (planted in 1998) and Bien Nacido vineyards (planted in 1994 and 1997). Aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels. 13,5% alcohol, 7,5 g/l acidity and pH 3,45.

Youthful, translucent and quite pale raspberry red color. The nose feels clean, focused and very attractive with layered aromas of juicy, ripe raspberries, some peppery spice, a little bit of perfumed floral character, light meaty tones, sweeter hints of Bing cherries and strawberries and a darker-toned touch of toasty oak spice. The wine feels lively, ripe and somewhat concentrated on the palate with a sleek medium body and intense flavors of juicy black raspberries and ripe black cherries, some angular nuances of stony minerality, a little bit of earthy Pinosity, light woody notes of toasty yet savory oak spice, a hint of fresh dark fruit and a touch of fragrant floral character. The wine is wonderfully high in acidity with surprisingly firm and grainy medium-plus tannins. The finish is juicy yet dry and moderately grippy with a long aftertaste of ripe black raspberries, some Bing cherries, a little bit of wild strawberry, light floral nuances of lilacs and violets, a brooding hint of toasty oak spice and a touch of tart red berries.

A wonderfully fresh and poised Pinot Noir that really managed to surprise me with its 100% new oak élevage - while some oak is apparent here, the emphasis is definitely on the ripe and concentrated yet still very fresh and acid-driven, red-toned fruit. There's lots of focus and depth here already, even if the wine is still very young and brimming with youthful energy. Fortunately the wine doesn't show any candied primary fruit tones, so it is drinking perfectly already now. However, with this much energy, structure and intensity, I'm positive this wine will continue to evolve and improve for years more. Expect the score to go up over the years. Not particularly affordable at $65, but when taking into account the prices at which Burgundy sells for today, this wine does offer value for the money.

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