Tasting Notes

Release Date: September 10, 2022

The 2019 Tanaka Project Pinot Noir is the second bottling dedicated to our friend Ron Tanaka.

In contrast to our Estate Pinot, which is a blend of all four of our Pinot Noir vineyard blocks, this wine comes from just one, the now-named Tanaka Vineyard. We select three special barrels and bottle them unfiltered.

Quite youthful, the beguiling aromas are just starting to emerge. True to our mountain terroir, jasmine, sandalwood, and raspberry scents come through. Fresh on the palate, elegant and balanced, with soft red fruit flavors and, again, complex notes of jasmine and sandalwood.

Lay this down for at least five years to allow the wine to achieve its greatness.

25% of each sale is donated to mental health awareness.

Production

78

Tech Notes

Yield: 1.5 tons per acre

Harvest: September 2nd-3rd

Numbers @ Harvest: 23.5° Brix, 3.6 pH, 8.8 grams acidity

Barrel Regimen: 3 Barrels selected; French Burgundy 50% new, 50% 1 year; native ferments

Bottling: August 2019, no fining or filtration

Alcohol: 14%

Reviews

94 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine - November 2022

Editors Choice

This bottling is both well-intentioned, with 25% from each bottle sold going to suicide prevention, and uniquely delicious. Aromas of nori, tart raspberry and charred wood offer an intriguing fusel-like character. The palate is also savory with strong umami qualities, offering cracked peppercorn, dried cranberry, sour cherry and orange-rind flavors. —M.K.

94 points Antonio Galloni presents Vinous - October 2023

The 2019 Pinot Noir Tanaka Project is delicate and lithe, with gorgeous fruit purity, silky tannins and exceptional harmony. Crushed flowers, cedar, sweet red berry fruit, mint and orange zest are some of the notes that grace this understated, classy Pinot. Thus far, Mount Eden has produced this wine every other year. Production is just three barrels.