Red Tail Ridge, Pinot Noir Rosé Pétillant Naturel 2022

• producer: Red Tail Ridge
• region: NY
• AVA: Finger Lakes
• country: USA
• grape variety: pinot noir
• production notes: woman winemaker/owner, LEED gold-certified

Red Tail Ridge is located on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes of New York, arguably the most desirable spot in the area for wine production. Winemaker Nancy Irelan is one of the most technically knowledgeable wine people we’ve ever met. She holds a Ph. D in grape genetics in the UC-Davis Viticulture and Enology Department and has been in the field for 35 years. She spent 10 years at E & J Gallo, a giant company whose  wines can be found almost everywhere and acts as an umbrella brand for well-known brands like Carlo Rossi, Barefoot, and their flagship brand, Gallo Family Winery. Red Tail Ridge is her response to her time working in large volume production. She sees it as a “personal journey of introspection” through winemaking that stays as close to the land as possible

Notes of mint, blood orange, strawberries and cream, and ripe red raspberries on the nose, bolstered by more of the same in the mouth. Mousse-like foam, with a firm acid spine that lengthens the finish and adds great tension.