Peony Lane, 2022 Estate Pinot Noir - Paonia, West Elks AVA, Colorado — 5,680 ft Elevation

If you still have bottles, I implore you to save one for the future and see where this masterpiece takes you in 10 years. HIGHER.

Second time tasting this estate bottling. Blind tasted my CMS Advanced Sommelier bro and he called high quality Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2018 vintage (epic vintage btw). He was blown away when revealed that the wine was a 2022 Colorado Pinot Noir.

nostr:nprofile1qqs2gndun24r2utk5l20tscsdprw5zttvm0qk58w8xhl2ja2kmzt7jcpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhszxthwden5te0wpex2mtfw4kjuurjd9kkzmpwdejhgtcw90xzl is a savant of his terroir. I’ve tasted Pinot from around the world, across all quality levels. Ben’s Estate Pinot Noir surpasses the majority and stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest examples. Terroir in a glass. Outstanding winemaking.

Tasting Notes

This vintage is medium to light-bodied, with racing acidity and finely structured light tannins. The mouthwatering finish leaves you reaching for another sip.

Primary aromas of ripe red fruits on the nose, with tart cranberry on the palate. Nuance everywhere. A quintessential example of Pinot Noir done right—by the place it was grown. Generational wealth in liquid form.

Definitely worth aging 10+ years; this wine will stand the test of time. Superb. Inspiring.

Pairings

• Filet mignon or coulotte steak with herb butter and roasted mushrooms

• Duck breast with rosemary duck fat potatoes and fresh figs

• Grilled pork loin chops with cranberry sauce and bacon cabbage

• Roasted chicken with larb-style mushrooms

• Black pepper & herb-marinated grilled lamb rib chops (no accompaniment needed)

• Swordfish schnitzel with salmon roe beurre blanc

• Or simply: on its own

Tasting Grid

Look:

Medium-pale. Bright garnet color fading to a tawny hue at the rim. Medium-high viscosity. Still looks youthful.

Smell:

Medium-high intensity

• Fruit: Ripe red fruit, raspberry, pomegranate, blood orange, Rainier cherries

• Floral/Herbal/Spice/Other: Potpourri, dried culinary herbs, rosehip herbal tea, aged black tea, allspice, turbinado sugar, vanilla

• Tertiary: Gun range, dried leaves, meat drippings, and—yes—Ben Justman during harvest

• Oak: Fully integrated; high-quality French oak barrels. Natural oak spice.

• Earth: Foraged mushrooms, dried leaves

Taste:

• Sweetness: Dry

• Acidity: High

• Tannin: Light to medium-minus

• Alcohol: 12%

• Body: Medium-light

• Notes: Bracing acidity and balanced tannins with exceptional mouthfeel. Full takeover of the mid-palate. Mind-blowing finish.

Opened for 30 minutes before tasting. Timed blind tasting grid with Thomas, T+T crew from High Treason San Francisco days. Followed by two hours of conversation over the bottles.

Need more for the cellar—this was my last one. Patiently waiting for the weather to cool down to receive my 2023 vintage.

Drink Well My Friends.