Justin Harmon's Argot wine series Bastard Tongue is always a blend of Swan, Pommard, and Dijon 115 clones from multiple Pinot Noir vineyards. This iteration of “BT” was selected from three distinct sites, each making their own unique terroir contribution of Sonoma County to this wines complexity.
Exploding forth on a tidal wave of high-toned, intense red and black fruits, this is a Pinot Noir that no stemware can contain. The palate’s profound depth is balanced by an inherent freshness, allowing the wine to crackle with brambly energy, while sustained by bass notes of underbrush, black tea, pie spice, and baker’s chocolate.
Pinot grapes underwent night harvesting by hand throughout September, cluster and berry sorted by hand, de-stemmed and no crushing. They then were cold soaked for 7-days, followed by native fermentation in open-top bins. Average time on the skins was 14 days. Aging 20 months in French oak, 100% new. Never racked prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes:
The Argot BT is riveting, and reminds one, somewhat of ripe Burgundy. This wine is striking, bursting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, grilled game, dark chocolate, cinnamon and violets. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, lush and yet elegant, with a bottomless core of fruit, rich but supple structuring tannins, and a long, muscular finish. This wine is the rock star of Sonoma County Pinot Noir that delivers the goods.