2016 Peter Paul Wines ‘Mill Frere’ Pinot Noir

2016 was a year of change for Peter Paul. After an inspiring vintage series from our two most sought-after Pinot Noirs (Mill Station and Frere) ended in 2015, we decided to continue paying tribute to the spirit of what made those wines so special by introducing our new flagship wine – Mille Frere 2016. We are excited to explore a new vineyard source (now in the heart of the Petaluma Gap) and see what becomes of this new line. We hope you enjoy this bodacious Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir as much as we do. 
The vintage itself was our ripest ever, with the grapes lending themselves effortlessly to a few days of cold soak, followed by a warm, extended fermentation to extract a seductive, layered character (and here we thought the 2015 Frere was big!). By spring 2017, we knew this was a rockstar and simply got out of the way: minimal racking with extended 14 month aging in 40% New French Oak; bottled unfined and unfiltered in Spring of 2018. 
TASTING NOTES: The wine offers the graceful texture of moderate climate Pinot Noir with the chiseled features derived from the windy Petaluma Gap, and a little Russian River spice thrown in for good measure. The 2016 vintage, while notably our ripest vintage produced, remains true to the sweet-savory essence of Pinot Noir. A surprisingly dark ruby hue and soaring aromas of red plum, rosehip, and orange zest, is followed by a flavor filled with spiced red berries and berries and a pleasing layer of density and complexity, leading up to a satisfying finish.