As good of an example of Carneros Pinot Noir that you’ll find. The wine sports strong smells and flavors of dark red cherries and berries plus cocoa, tarragon and light toast. Soft tannins and bright, cool climate acidity complement the dark Pinot Noir fruit personality. At just two years of age, the Sleeping Giant Pinot Noir 2017 is already seamless and delicious drinking. That said, I expect it to get better over the next 3-5 years. Owner/winemaker Chris Dearden planted his Pinot Noir vineyard on Carneros’ “Las Amigas Road” in 2006. This is the first vintage I’ve had of this wine. I absolutely loved it.
Sleeping Giant is one of the five labels owned and made by long-time Napa winemaker Chris Dearden. He has a knack for making wines that are varietally correct and full flavored without going too far on ripeness and alcohol. Read all of my reviews of Chris’s wines HERE.
