Knuttel explains the unusual level of vineyard material and care that went into this:
This Pinot Noir is blended from two vineyards, both of which are also bottled as vineyard designates for the William Knuttel label. Richard Rued’s mixed clone planting off Olivet Lane in the Russian River Valley offers a complex array of aromas and flavors, and Dijon 777 Pinot Noir from Windsor Oaks Vineyard in the Chalk Hill sub-appellation adds muscularity to the wine’s expansive structure. Hand-harvested clusters were gently de-stemmed, leaving whole berries intact. All lots were cold soaked for 4-5 days prior to fermentation at low inoculation rates. Extraction was gently carried out with pumpovers to maximize fruitiness, and occasional délestage enhanced the wine’s tannin profile. The new wines were drained when dry, then pressed to French oak for ten months of aging, with 35% new oak.
The only critic to have reviewed this, Dunnuck, rates it outstanding, saying:
As to the 2019 Pinot Noir Bill's Hidden Track, it's also solid, with lots of earthy spice and foresty notes as well as sweet cherry and framboise fruits, medium-bodied richness, light tannins, and a good finish. It's impeccably made and well worth enjoying over the coming 4-5 years.
Here also are some Vivino reviews:
Swirl & Sip monthly pick (at $25.99). Fruity (raspberry) acid, medium body. Excellent Pinot noir.
Very ripe for a PN. Dark, even mildly brooding fruit. Lots of interesting secondary spice box flavors.
This wine is so good! Love the oak influence. Very aromatic. Lots of fresh raspberry and blueberry notes. Lovely herbs and spices on the nose and palate as well. Super smooth finish. This would be great with anything smoked. Veggies or meat. Cheers!
Delicious Pinot Noir!
We’ve had a lot of very good Pinots under $20 lately – but I don’t think any that are clearly as high-quality and refined as this. It really could pass for a very good $40+ Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
But then, Knuttel, who was head winemaker at Saintsbury from 1983 to 1996, and then Chalk Hill until 2011, is one of Sonoma’s true veteran Pinot masters. He knows where the good stuff is, and he knows what to do with it.
I just never thought we’d see it at a price like this.
And yes, Pinot Noir is the perfect holiday red – and this one would do any holiday meal proud.
