95PTS
Wine Enthusiast

2021 Nightwing Vineyard 'First Flight'

Pinot Noir
Petaluma Gap
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About this Wine

2021 marks the inaugural vintage of Pinot Noir from our new Nightwing Estate Vineyard, which is named after the indigenous nocturnal birds that keep a watchful eye on the land. Nightwing is also a nod to the original guardian of the property, Vernon Morelli, a former WWII pilot who built a landing strip amid the vineyard.

95-Point Stunner

95 Points

“Super well structured, with lip-smacking acidity and bright, ripe fruit flavors, this wine is a vibrant, palate-cleansing mouthful. Fragrant cinnamon and cloves are lifted by almost electric red cherries, sour cherries and cranberries that light up the palate. The wine is so nervy and fresh despite a full body.”
Jim Gordon
Wine Enthusiast, November 2023
Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes
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Accolades
Accolades
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Winemaking
Winemaking
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Vintage
Vintage
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Vineyard
Vineyard
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Tech. Notes
Tech. Notes
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additional notes
Tasting Notes

A beautiful silky violet color with intense color density. The aromas are perfumed and filled with exotic spices. Baking spice and cherry cola come to mind when taking your first sip. The entry is soft and luxurious with lasting weight and roundness.

Accolades
  • 95 Points: Jim Gordon Wine Enthusiast - November 2023
  • “Super well structured, with lip-smacking acidity and bright, ripe fruit flavors, this wine is a vibrant, palate-cleansing mouthful. Fragrant cinnamon and cloves are lifted by almost electric red cherries, sour cherries and cranberries that light up the palate. The wine is so nervy and fresh despite a full body.”

Winemaking

The fruit was gently destemmed into small open-top fermenters, using state-of-the-art equipment and procedures to avoid any pumping of the must. Inoculation with select yeast strains followed a three-day cold soak, and the caps were gently managed with a combination of pump-overs and punch-downs. The wine was aged for 10 months exclusively in French oak barrels, 42% of which were new. The wine was bottled on August 10, 2022.

Vintage

The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes was exceptional. We hand-harvested the grapes exactly when we wished in the cool evening hours of September 6, 7, and 10 of 2021.

Vineyard

2021 marks the inaugural vintage of Pinot Noir from our new Nightwing Estate Vineyard, which is named after the indigenous nocturnal birds that keep a watchful eye on the land. Nightwing is also a nod to the original guardian of the property, Vernon Morelli, a former WWII pilot who built a landing strip amid the vineyard. Located in the acclaimed Petaluma Gap AVA, Nightwing Vineyard is perched at 1,200 feet above sea level, where it basks in cool ocean winds and long, sunny days. First Flight is a unique selection from specific blocks and clones that were showing as distinct and special. 40% of this wine is Pommard clone from block 17, 60% is a mix of 667, 777, and Swan clones from blocks 10, 11, and 16.

Technical Notes
  • composition:

    100% Pinot Noir

  • alcohol: 14.5%
  • cases made:

    523 Cases

  • bottling date: 08/10/2022
  • aging:

    Aged 10 months in French oak, 42% new

  • fermentation:

    Gently desteemed into open-top fermenters; three day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

additional notes
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