Rippon "Tinker's Field" Mature Vine Pinot Noir '21

Tinker’s Field is a gentle, north-facing slope formed by coarse schist gravels. Tinker’s Field is home to the oldest vines on the property and is named after Rippon’s founder, Rolfe Mills (Tink to his friends). The fruit was manually harvested and fermented in stainless-steel fermenters, with 11% whole cluster. Fermentation lasted 13 days, and skin contact spanned 16 to 28 days. The wine matured for a total of 14 months in French oak barrels ranging from new (21%) to four years old. Bottled in July 2022. 

"The 2021 Tinker's Field Mature Vine Pinot Noir leads with its typical power and flow, underpinned by currents of mineral tannin and saline freshness. This has clarity and intensity and focus in a single hit, like the pointy tip of the spear. I love this wine each year, the seasonal overlay being just another aspect of it, which is almost forgotten between drinking other wines (I don't forget; we never forget) just how good it is. Like a retina focusing in response to bright light, like all sound shutting off from around, this is a wine of impact and tremendous grace. It thunders, in its way. And despite the fruit and supple ripeness of it, the highlight, undoubtedly for me, is the tannic shape of it. It bends and moves like an old tree in high wind. It's superb. The vines were planted from 1982 to 1989, all on their own roots and dry farmed, with no adjustments at must, and all ferments are wild. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 98 Points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate."