A tale of two sides (soils) in Justice Vineyard leads to a Pinot with two sides: dark and showy; wound up and energetic. The two sides begin to merge quickly, with electricity pulsing through bold, beautiful darkness. An exotic, mouthwatering fruit note appears -- salt flecks on passion fruit -- before the striking blue-black fruited intensity of Justice establishes its hold. Accents of violets and sage add depth and and dimension (as if it needed more!), creating a dynamic, powerful Pinot. As we've found so far in the best 2017 Pinots, it's deliciously engaging now while boasting the kind of structure to reward a decade of age. A May Reserve Pinot Noir Club selection, only 45 cases total were made so no dallying.
Justice Vineyard, owned and farmed by the Bethel Heights family, describes Justice: "marrying volcanic topsoil with the ancient sea-floor beneath, our Justice Vineyard tells a captivating tale of two soils. The result is a taut, vibrating structure enveloped in ample, dark flesh." Exactly.
Violin's Will Hamilton spent the last several years with Justice Vineyard as his daily winemaking view; he made his wines at Walter Scott until the 2017 vintage. - Marcus