“The Reserve is composed of the nine best barrels from Elk Cove’s estate plantings. It will require decanting in the short run and patience in the long run. Beautiful boysenberry, tangerine and anise-laced Thai basil aromas lead to flavors like tangy cranberry, raspberry and cinnamon. Drink 2025–2038. Cellar Selection.” – Michael Alberty
“Plush and elegantly built, with dynamic raspberry and cranberry flavors highlighted by notes of green tea and orange peel as this zips along the vibrant finish. Drink now through 2032. 396 cases made.” – Tim Fish, Senior Editor
Another outstanding Pinot Noir from Elk Cove, this time the 2021 Reserve, which was aged for 10 months in 55% new French oak and is only made in exceptional years. Only the finest barrels were selected for this wine, and it shows. A shimmering medium neon ruby core with a lighter pink rim, it offers up aromas and flavors of black cherries, wild blueberries, sweet toasted cinnamon, cedary herbs, dusty road, and shares of wet earth. Sweet, rounded tannins and perfected levels of acidity complete the wine. Give this one another year or two in the bottle, and you will be richly rewarded. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.
The Reserve represents a barrel selection that varies each vintage. In 2021, the blend included Roosevelt, Clay Court, Goodrich, La Bohème and Mount Richmond barrels. Aromas of smoky violets and turned earth unravel this intense Pinot Noir, which needs time in the glass and the bottle to reveal itself. Juicy brambleberry fruits colour the palate alongside savoury dill, red currant and sappy Montmorency cherries. There is ample lift to brighten the dense core of the fruit.
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Reserve is a barrel selection from several of Elk Cove’s vineyards. It has a medium ruby-purple color and savory aromas of red and black cherries, aniseed, pipe tobacco, flint and Christmas spice, continuing to unfurl aromatically as it airs in the glass. The light-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with fragrant fruit and a long, latent finish. It feels particularly coiled and will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle.” -Erin Brooks