# Golden West Pinot Noir (2020)

- **Producer:** House of Smith
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Washington, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Aromas & flavours:** orange, red cherry, vanilla, smoke, cloves, leather, earth

## About this wine

The Golden West Pinot Noir 2020 is a 100% Pinot Noir from the Royal Slope appellation in Washington State, produced by House of Smith. The vineyard, Golden West Vineyard, is located on the western edge of the Frenchman Hills at nearly 1,600 feet elevation and is sustainably farmed in limestone, sand, and volcanic rock soils. The 2020 vintage experienced a long, temperate growing season, contributing to even fruit ripening. House of Smith, founded by Charles Smith, is known for its distinctive approach to winemaking, emphasizing wines that reflect their origin with a philosophy of 'old world winemaking with new world grapes'.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyard sits at nearly 1,600 feet elevation.
- Soils are a mix of limestone, sand, and volcanic rock.
- Producer Charles Smith is a former rock band manager.
- Winery is Washington's largest independent winemaker-owned.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium body and fresh acidity can cut through the richness of proteins like duck and pork, while its fruit notes complement sweet and savory elements in dishes. Herbal undertones in the wine can harmonize with herbs used in cooking.

## Wine making process

The Golden West Pinot Noir 2020 was produced using 100% Pinot Noir grapes. Fermentation was carried out with native yeast, with 70% of the grapes fermented as berries and 30% as whole clusters, followed by 36 days on skins. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged for 11 months on lees in 30% new French oak barriques and puncheons. The alcohol by volume is 13.5%, with a titratable acidity of 5.5 g/L and a pH of 3.82.