94 Vinous

Deep ruby. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, cherry-cola, star anise and vanilla, with a smoky nuance coming up with air. Juicy and expansive, with impressive clarity and power to its dark berry and floral pastille flavors. Finishes with excellent floral lift and striking persistence. This Pinot, which was made from fruit that was sorted three times according to Morlet, offers a very suave blend of richness and vivacity. (ST) (5/2013)

91 Wine Spectator

A complex red, featuring dense red berry and licorice scents, this delivers a firm beam of red berry fruit, with gripping tannins imparting a rich earthy flavor and texture on the finish. (JL) (9/2013)

90 Wine Advocate

The 2011 Pinot Noir Moulin Rouge Pisoni Vineyard is performing slightly better than the 2012. There is plenty of cassis in its gorgeous aromatics, which are backed up by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy, succulent palate. (RP) (12/2013)

2011 Vintage Notes

The 2011 growing season started with a cool wet spring. While the Pisoni vineyard did not experience any frost, the temperatures delayed bud break. Difficult weather during blooming and fruit set reduced the size of the crop. The temperatures remained cooler than normal throughout the growing season thus delaying the harvest. This afforded additional hang time and the fruit benefitted, displaying full flavor development and gorgeous color. The resulting 2011 wine exhibits a lighter, more gentle profile than typical for this vineyard. We are extremely pleased with the balance and finesse this cool growing season provided.

Wingrowing Notes

The Pinot Noir for our Le Moulin Rouge is grown on the slopes of the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County. The vineyard’s coastal soil and climate contribute a dense, yet delicate richness, and add to the wine’s complexity. The clone, originally selected from Burgundy’s Grand Cru, is showcased in a concentrated perfume and distinct varietal expression. The vintage’s very small clusters and berries have produced a concentrated and intense wine. Along with fully ripe fruit, manual punch downs and barrel aging have contributed to the wine’s gorgeous, silky tannins.

Winemaker Tasting Note

On the nose, the 2011 Le Moulin Rouge is packed with intense aromas of raspberry and red cherry, backed by notes of Earl Grey tea. As the wine develops it unveils a concentrated bouquet of strawberries and Grillottes cherries with hints of clove and cinnamon. A full, rich mouthfeel exhibits a wine with breadth, depth and elegance with a layered finish. The 2011 Le Moulin Rouge will age gracefully for a decade.

About Peter Michael Winery

In 1982, after a six year search, Sir Peter Michael and Lady Michael purchased 630 acres of volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley. Drawing inspiration from the great wineries of Burgundy and Bordeaux, the family hired like-minded viticulturists and winemakers to help them create terroir-driven wines that would stand the test of time. Peter Michael Winery Winery produces 15 different bottlings: 3 Cabernet blends, 4 Pinot Noirs, 2 blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, and 6 Chardonnays. With the exception of our two barrel selection Chardonnays, all of these wines are vineyard specific.

Under the direction of vineyard manager Javier Avina, the estate vineyards are farmed by hand in a low-impact, sustainable manner, relying heavily on organic techniques that include some biodynamic practices. Cover crops control erosion, feed the soil and provide a habitat for beneficial insects; eliminating the need for chemical pesticides. Tilling, spraying and mowing are accomplished with tractors. All other operations are done entirely by hand. These include: pruning, suckering, shoot positioning, hedging, crop thinning and harvest. All harvesting is done into 20-pound fruit lugs to insure that the fruit arrives at the winery in pristine condition.