Description
l'Usine is the brainchild of David Phinney of Orin Swift fame. Wanting to exploit some superb vineyard plots planted with Pinot Noir, he based each one off the picture on the front of the bottle. The expressions of the models and the way the picture is shot is meant to reflect something that he saw in the wine. The nature of this subject/object trickery; combined with the juxtaposition of the bottle informing the wine (rather than vice-versa) is typical Phinney: auteur, driven, splendid. And luckily enough - the wines are more than good enough to support such a high-profile, elegant design. "Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2018 Pinot Noir Annapolis Vineyard comes skipping out of the glass with dramatic notes of candied violets, black raspberries, kirsch and dark chocolate with nuances of lavender, underbrush and truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid frame of ripe, plush tannins and lively acidity supporting the perfumed red berry layers, finishing long with loads of spices coming through. 600 cases were made." Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 95 Points, 2021-2035