Region: Napa Carneros
Vintage: 2023
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
ChatGPT Original Source Guess: Bouchaine Vineyards (likely)
Wine Berserkers Guess: Obsidian Wine Pinot Noir Poseidon Estate
Alcohol: 14.2%
Oak Aging: ~20% New French Oak (larger format barrels)
Cam Price: $12.42 ($149/case, delivered)
Retail Estimate: $35–$45
Drink Window: 2024–2028
🍷 Cameron’s Release Notes
Email
I’ve received quite a few requests for a Pinot Noir so, well, here you go… Lot 8 2023 Napa Carneros Pinot Noir is live!
Quite frankly, I think this Pinot Noir offers tremendous value even at the winery’s $40/bottle MSRP. But I guess that’s what having a vineyard in your family for 40+ years enables you to do — deliver great wine at a reasonable price.
Today, however, you’re buying this great, single-vineyard designated bottling blend not for $480/case but for the rather fantastic price tag of just $149/case DELIVERED.
But, trust me on this one folks, if you are looking for an expressive, vibrant, racy, and lively style of Pinot Noir, it is indeed time to back up the truck!
Lot 8 is a fresh, spicy, perfectly ripe and sumptuous Pinot Noir. Cherry red in the glass with a shade of magenta that gives it a fresh color, it features an immediately gorgeous bouquet of ripe cherries and strawberries framed with fresh-peeled tangerine and black tea haloed by pretty rose petal florals. Fleshy, juicy and ripe on entry with an open-knit structure redolent with ripe strawberry and cherry fruit with spicy ginger notes, black tea and lightly toasted oak woven throughout the mouthwatering structure. She finishes long and pretty with fantastic purity and persistence in an elegant finish. Quite lively and absolutely delicious, this bright, beautifully expressive Pinot Noir will beguile your palate!
I have about 400 cases bottling later this month so be sure to get your case today.
Tasting Notes (Website)
Quite frankly, I think this Pinot Noir offers tremendous value even at the winery’s $40/bottle MSRP. But I guess that’s what having a vineyard in your family for 40+ years enables you to do — deliver great wine at a reasonable price. The vineyard is a fantastic property just a stone’s throw from the San Pablo Bay in Napa Carneros, and I have always been impressed with ownership’s winemaking across their various programs in Napa as well as Lake County. Always great wine at a great price relative to their competition.
Today, however, you’re buying this great, single-vineyard designated bottling blend not for $480/case but for the rather fantastic price tag of just $149/case DELIVERED.
I’ve not been able to find a lot of critics scores on the producer’s bottlings save for a 93 for the 2020 from Wine Enthusiast and another 91 for the 2022 from Wine Spectator. But, trust me on this one folks, if you are looking for an expressive, vibrant, racy, and lively style of Pinot Noir, it is indeed time to back up the truck!
Lot 8 is a fresh, spicy, perfectly ripe and sumptuous Pinot Noir. Cherry red in the glass with a shade of magenta that gives it a fresh color, it features an immediately gorgeous bouquet of ripe cherries and strawberries framed with fresh-peeled tangerine and black tea haloed by pretty rose petal florals. Fleshy, juicy and ripe on entry with an open-knit structure redolent with ripe strawberry and cherry fruit with spicy ginger notes, black tea and lightly toasted oak woven throughout the mouthwatering structure. She finishes long and pretty with fantastic purity and persistence in an elegant finish. Quite lively and absolutely delicious, this bright, beautifully expressive Pinot Noir will beguile your palate!
- 100% Napa Carneros
- 100% Pinot Noir
- 100% Single Vineyard – same bottling blend as producer
- ~20% new oak in larger format barrels
- 14.2% alc.
- ~400 cases (bottling July 25th)
🧠 ChatGPT says:
🔍 Source Guess: Likely Bouchaine Vineyards (Napa Carneros)
🎯 Rationale:
- Estate History & Ownership: The reference to a “vineyard in your family for 40+ years” suggests long-term ownership of estate vineyard land. Bouchaine is one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Carneros and fits the multi-generational ownership profile.
- Geographic Clue: Described as “just a stone’s throw from the San Pablo Bay,” which directly matches Bouchaine’s location on the southern edge of Napa Carneros.
- Style Match: The wine is described as racy, vibrant, and floral with strawberry, cherry, tangerine, and tea leaf aromas — all hallmark notes of Bouchaine’s Pinot Noir style, especially in cooler years like 2023.
- Oak Treatment & Structure: ~20% new oak in large-format barrels is consistent with Bouchaine’s balanced approach to aging, focused on vibrancy and structure rather than overt oak.
- Score Correlation: Mentions of Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator ratings in the low 90s match Bouchaine’s typical scores for their estate Pinot Noirs.
🧭 Alternate Possibilities:
- Hyde Vineyards: Has a similar Carneros location and pedigree, but their fruit usually goes to higher-end bottlings and is often mentioned explicitly.
- Artesa: Also in Napa Carneros and has estate fruit, but their production is much larger scale and would likely be mentioned differently in Cameron’s description.
✅ Conclusion:
All clues point toward Bouchaine as the source of Lot 8 — especially the combination of estate vineyard control, geographic location, and stylistic hallmarks. If not Bouchaine, then a closely aligned Carneros neighbor with similar vineyard pedigree and pricing structure.
⏳ Drink Window
Early Enjoyment: Fall 2025 through 2026 once bottle shock settles. Juicy, floral, and vibrant right out of the gate.
Peak Drinking: 2026–2027. Strawberry, cherry, citrus zest, and rose petal flavors integrate seamlessly with subtle oak.
Hold Potential: Best by 2028. This is crafted in a fresh, racy style meant for youthful drinking rather than long-term cellaring.
⏳ Drink window: 2024–2028 (peak 2026–2027)
🧑🤝🧑🍷 Wine Berserkers Guess: Obsidian Wine Pinot Noir Poseidon Estate