# EnRoute Pinot Noir Russian River Valley "Les Pommiers" (2021)

- **Producer:** EnRoute Winery
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €55
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 13–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, cherry, plum, redcurrant, rose, violet, coffee, vanilla, cloves, toast, tobacco, forest floor, mushroom

## About this wine

EnRoute Winery was established in 2007 by the partners of Far Niente, driven by a multi-decade passion for Pinot Noir. Located in the fog-blanketed Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, the winery is named 'EnRoute' to represent their ongoing journey with this temperamental grape. The flagship wine, 'Les Pommiers' (sometimes referred to as 'Les Pommes'), pays homage to the historic apple orchards that once covered the valley. Rather than reserving all top-tier single-vineyard blocks for expensive reserve bottlings, EnRoute blends their finest estate parcels directly into this flagship wine, ensuring exceptional complexity and consistency.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Les Pommiers' (meaning apple trees) honors the historic apple orchards that once covered the estate's vineyard lands.
- EnRoute blends its highest-scoring single-vineyard blocks directly into this flagship wine rather than saving them for reserve bottlings.
- The wine is crafted by the Far Niente family of wines, famous for their iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

## Food pairing

This Pinot Noir's vibrant acidity and silky, low-to-medium tannins make it exceptionally food-friendly. It cuts through the richness of poultry like duck and roasted chicken, while its earthy undertones beautifully complement wild mushrooms. The delicate structure also pairs wonderfully with fatty fish like salmon without overpowering it.

## Wine making process

The 2021 vintage was sourced from key estate vineyards including Northern Spy, Amber Ridge, and Manzana. Grapes were harvested between August 18 and September 28, 2021. Fermentation took place primarily in open-top stainless steel tanks (96%) and concrete Nomblot tanks (4%), utilizing daily punch-downs for gentle extraction. The wine underwent an average of 14 days of skin contact. It was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, with a wood breakdown of 33% new, 33% once-used, and 34% neutral French oak.