The 2023 Morgan Winery Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey, California, exhibits a harmonious balance of flavors characteristic of this renowned region. This vintage has garnered acclaim from critics, with Wine Enthusiast awarding it 93 points and Burghound giving it 90 points. The wine reveals a spectrum of aromas and flavors that reflect its terroir, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection.
On the nose, the wine presents vibrant notes of raspberry and cranberry, enriched by nuances of crushed slate and delicate rose petals. The palate showcases ripe berry flavors, interwoven with floral undertones, culminating in a clean and bright finish. This medium-plus bodied Pinot Noir is elegantly supported by fine-grained tannins, ensuring a refined tasting experience. It is recommended for those who appreciate the evolution of Pinot Noir with some bottle aging.
Aroma: Crisp raspberry and cranberry, hints of crushed slate and red rose petal.
Taste: Joyously ripe berry flavors with elegant floral tones and subtle spice nuances.
Finish: Clean and bright, with a long-lasting impression of seductively compact fruit character.
93 Wine Enthusiast Light in the glass, this clonal blends pops on the nose with crisp raspberry and cranberry as hints of crushed slate and red rose petal add complexity. The landing on the palate is clean and bright, showing joyously ripe berry flavors but also elegant floral tones deep into the finish.
93 James Suckling Pure, layered, expressive and complex, this brings together star anise, bergamot, peppercorn, red and dark cherry, tilled earth and tea notes. Terrific value. Drink or hold.
92 Jeb Dunnuck The 2023 Pinot Noir Twelve Clones is a wine of finesse and understated power, 65% of the grapes coming from the estate Double L Vineyard, with the rest filled out by fruit from KW, Highlands, Boekenoogen, and Tondre, a mix of 12 unique clones. Medium-bodied, it offers flavors of cherry, cola, and clove, with a thread of acidity throughout. The oak is integrated and subtle, only 38% of it new, allowing the silky texture to speak. Drink now through 2030.
91 Wine Spectator Delivers fresh, pinpoint notes of rooibos tea, blood orange and savory backed by the long, sleek finish. Drink now through 2030.
90 Burghound Cool, pretty and elegant aromas consist of the essence of various red berries, especially cranberry and raspberry, together with subtle spice nuances. The vibrant and refined flavors possess a suave texture thanks to the relatively fine-grained tannins that shape the seductive, sneaky long and compact finish where a prominent bitter pit fruit character slowly emerges. This offers unusually good quality for the price and is very much recommended, particularly for those readers who prefer to give their pinots at least some bottle aging.
