Lot #25 Emeritus Vineyards

“Untamed” is cool-climate Pinot Noir in one of its rarest forms: crafted from two small blocks of the Hyde clone at the Emeritus estate Hallberg Ranch Vineyard that yield only a few tons each harvest. Never before bottled on their own, these two blocks were picked, fermented, and aged as a separate lot. The result is stunning – a wine that showcases this historic clone at Hallberg Ranch, yet still maintains the charming and elegant style ubiquitous to Emeritus.

The Hyde clone came to Emeritus while legendary vintner Brice Cutrer Jones and Aubert de Villaine, proprietor of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, were developing a vineyard together on the coastline of Sonoma County. Brice asked Aubert for the finest clone of Pinot Noir he knew of, and Aubert said that his cousin-in-law Larry Hyde had one, which vineyard manager Kirk Lokka promptly went to pick up. Several years after, Aubert inspired Brice to dry-farm his vineyards, a decision that would forever alter the style of Emeritus. The winery is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Now second-generation vintner Mari Jones leads the charge as winery president, joined by a talented team who share Brice’s exacting vision for quality and are the true backbone of this family-run winery.

“Untamed” was 15% whole-cluster fermented, encouraging complexity and soft tannins that help complement the rustic nature of the Hyde clone. Emeritus’s barrel program has lighter toasting and uses predominantly Vosges wood, contributing to a Pinot Noir that is built to age beautifully, expressive now with the capacity to develop over the next ten years. The wine is an authentic, distinctive, individual Pinot Noir, reflecting the earthiness of the Hyde clone and the red fruit of Russian River Valley. It’s concentrated, complex, and characterful.

WINEMAKER(S): Keith Hammond

ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: July 2024
ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: January 2025

National Distribution: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, WA, Washington, DC

International Distribution: Includes England, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.

A winemaker dinner or store visit is offered in your market as part of this lot. Must be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date.