Elk Cove 2022 Clay Court Pinot Noir – Aromas of plum and chocolate pop up from the glass, leading into a focused, detailed young Pinot with tart raspberry and blood orange fruit. Moderate (usually 20%) new French oak puts a lightly toasty frame around it, perfectly balanced against the fruit and acid. This has the precision and depth to age well, as shown by the 2017 which I opened as a comparison.
Silky and richly structured, with detailed flavors of raspberry and cherry accented by orange peel, cinnamon and toasty spice tones that linger toward supple tannins. Drink now through 2032. 729 cases made.
Elk Cove is a Clay Court master the equal of Rafael Nadal. Each vintage of this wine is excellent, and the 2022 is as nimble and light on its feet as Nadal in his best year. Blueberries, raspberries, orange blossoms and buckwheat pancakes are this wine’s opening aromatic volley. Raspberries take over on the palate, backhanded by explosions of oregano, nutmeg and black tea. Game, set, match. — Michael Alberty
“From a hillside vineyard, Clay Court is on top of Parrett Mountain comes a beautifully balanced Pinot Noir. Ruby red-hued with great floral elegance, showy notes of dusty red berries, and a gravelly minerality. The palate is fleshy, red-fruited and delicious; a squeeze of blood orange brightens the affair; it’s followed on by tart cranberries, green tea leaves and an array of savoury dried herbs, finishing with tart cherries and a hint of minerality.”
“The 2022 Pinot Noir Clay Court, grown on volcanic Jory soils, has wonderfully spicy aromas of cinnamon, tea leaves, mossy bark and mushrooms complementing a core of raspberry and red cherry jam. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, spicy fruit. It’s structured by fine, grainy tannins and bright acidity and has a long, bitters-laced finish.” – Erin Brooks