Critics are all raving about this fine example of what the Sonoma Coast can offer!
Wayfarer is the culmination of exceptional terroir, masterful winemaking, and the drive to go to extremes to create something genuinly remarkable.
Wayfarer vineyard was planted by David Abreu in 2002, and in 2005, Jayson Pahlmeyer started blending Wayfarer Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with fruit from Russian River vineyards and bottling it under the Pahlmeyer moniker. By 2012, the vineyard’s exceptional fruit presented an irrefutable case for a namesake label. With Jayson’s daughter, Cleo Pahlmayer, at the helm, Wayfarer is an endeavor of true passion – an experiment that pushes the exactitude of winegrowing and winemaking to the farthest limits.
2018 was marked by a long and temperate growing season that allowed for a calm harvest. The Pinot Noir vines began to emerge on March 31st in block 5. Overall rainfall was 35% below average, however a large portion of this rain came in April. With this spring rain filling the soil profile, the vines were able to thrive in the early growing season and continued to revel in moderate weather through May. Bloom occurred during the first days of June, and an idyllic summer allowed for a long ripening period. Taking advantage of perfect conditions and rewarding patience, they were able to pick precisely when the fruit was ready.
Tasting Notes: Explosive aromatics of violets, lavender, raspberry and blackberry abound as the 2018 Wayfarer Vineyard Pinot Noir opens in the glass. An elegant dance of juicy acidity and rich tannin play on the fresh palate, with notes of forest floor and dark chocolate on the finish. This is a vintage that will oblige early consumption, but given time in the cellar, patience will be handsomely rewarded.
Critical Acclaim:
98+ Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Pinot Noir Wayfarer Vineyard has a medium ruby color and slowly opening perfume of garrigue, dried orange peel, prosciutto and rose petals with mineral-laced cranberry and red and black berry fruits. The medium-bodied palate, grainy and incredibly fresh, slowly gains in flavor amplitude and nuance in the mouth, ending in a fanfare of spicy detail. Rating: 98+
96 Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Pinot Noir Wayfarer Vineyard was just about completely destemmed and spent 15 months in 58% new French oak. This deeper ruby/purple-hued effort offers an awesome bouquet of black raspberries, scorched earth, toasted spices, and flowery incense. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, and a stunning effort. It also happens to be made in terrific quantities, with just over 1,600 cases produced. Bravo!