2024 First Man Pinot noir

The low block of First Man, normally destined for our blanc do noir style Rosé, was badly effected by April frost, ruining some 40% of the early buds. By May, we had already decided against trying to make a separate pick due to a lack of critical mass. As a result, this is our first version that represents the entire vineyard, from all three plantings. We erred on the riper side for the slopes to give the lower field more time to reach maturity, making this a later pick for us on October 1st. As in the last several years, we picked with Jennifer’s crew team and were able to process within several hours, using the smallest clustered 777 from the steep hill for a mix of around 25% as whole cluster. After nearly 25 days on skins, the wine was pressed and raised in a selection of four barrels for 15 months. This was blended from just two and half of them, including one new, before a further four weeks of aging in stainless steel and bottling on March 11, 2026. Burst of fresh berry, leaning red in the First Man way, cherries and a subtle edge of menthol. A darker, almost gravelly tone brings a deeper sense of savory to the spectrum in ’24. Lithe and juicy on entry, a more structured, lean and chiseled Pinot noir body, with some driving wood spice and the ever-present, crunchy red fruits carrying the range. Stern, firm, wonderful focus and never overly or overtly fruity. The complexity in this bottling feels like an all-time high, but maintains the classic sense of restraint and detail marking these wines and setting the stage for aging potential. 45 cases and 12 magnums produced; 12.8% alcohol $65 per bottle