Ojai Vineyard Kessler Haak Pinot Noir 2021

Juicy aromas of black raspberry floating atop lavender, violet and rose petals make for a very floral nose on this botting, with gray sage adding herbal nuance. The palate is bright, floral and very flavorful, showing more of the same elements as well as a richer dark-plum note.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Kessler Haak Vineyard is redolent of dark cherry/plum fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice, dried herbs, graphite and cedar. More than anything else, the Kessler Haak impresses with its stature and vertical poise. There's great depth here, and tons of substance as well. The 2021 was done with 92% stems, so very much on the higher side, as the lots used for this bottling were mostly those with whole clusters. The rest of the lots were used for the appellation wine.

I've always loved the Pinot Noir from this site, and Ojai's 2021 Pinot Noir Kessler Haak Vineyard is another beautiful wine. Redcurrants, darker raspberries, forest floor, earthy, iron, herbal nuances, and some subtle hints of flowers all emerge on the nose, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a beautiful sense of elegance. This is never the biggest or richest Pinot Noir in a vintage, yet it shines for its balance, complexity, and sheet charm. It benefits from a little bit of air today and is going to evolve gracefully over the coming 10-12 years.