2023 Ruff Pinot Noir
$29.94 Licensee
75 Cases Produced
Harvest Date: October 3, 2023
pH: 3.5
TA: 5.2
Alc: 12%
RS: 1.0 g/l
The return of our Pinot Noir – the first we have made since 2019. Sourced from the Twenty Mile Bench harvested on an early October day. This fruit was hand harvested, and hand sorted allowing us to include approximately 30% whole cluster in the fermentation.
A quick note on the label – this wine has been an homage to Henri, one of the partner’s beloved Pug/Beagle cross who sadly passed away after a long life in 2024. He remains our spokesdog, and as a reminder that Pinot Noir is the heartbreak grape. May we all know the joy and sorrow of living with a faithful companion like Henri.
In the glass, the 2023 Pinot Noir shows a translucent ruby hue—bright, inviting, and unmistakably Niagara. The nose leads with pretty, lifted aromatics: wild strawberry, red cherry, and cranberry are layered with subtle notes of rose petal, sweet spice, and a hint of forest floor from the whole-cluster inclusion.
The palate is well structured. A torrent of cherry and raspberry – supported by fine tannin and buried somewhere under all the fruit is the characteristic minteral note of the Twenty Mile Bench. Thanks to a typical Niagara summer we maintain balanced acidity that moved to subtle earthy tones.
We can’t wait to share this Pinot Noir with family and friends as the year unfolds – even if Mother Nature seems determined to keep us guessing. The balance and gentle structure of this vintage make it dangerously drinkable; don’t be surprised if you find yourself wondering whether there’s a hole in the bottom of the bottle.
And as always, don’t overthink it. Pinot Noir may have a reputation for being fussy, but this one isn’t. It’s as comfortable alongside a simple roast chicken as it is with a bowl of pasta or nothing more than good company. Serve it with whatever you’re in the mood for – you won’t be disappointed. Though fair warning: the ideal pairing might just be a second glass.