School House Pinot Noir, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley (2012)

James Suckling: 91 Points “A rather lifted nose to this with strawberry, tea and cedar, which follows through to medium body, medium tannins and a nutty, light fruit aftertaste.” Winery notes: "School House Pinot Noir is unique among North American Pinots. We find the wonderful dried fruit flavors of cherries and plums, the earthy — almost mushroomy — aromas and tastes produce a classic French style Pinot Noir. The 2012 Pinot Noir is a wonderful rarity for this esteemed estate. School House Vineyard is a very small producer of entirely estate wines nestled in the hills of the Spring Mountain District a few hundred yards in on Langtry Road at about 1500 feet. A visit here is for the serious wine enthusiast – their vineyard is truly off the beaten path, there is no tasting room or ‘napa fancy’; all tastings are conducted next to the vineyard. The vineyard is located in the Spring Mountain District. It is quiet and relaxed here; this is the Napa Valley’s unassuming mountain appellation. Rather then being winemakers, proprietors, John M. Gantner and Nancy Walker focus their efforts on vineyard management and sales of their wines."