2023
Solaksen Pinot Noir

The 2023 Tenor Solaksen Vineyard Pinot Noir isn't interested in playing the delicate card. Sourced exclusively from Solaksen Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA, this 100% Pinot Noir brings a darker, more powerful personality to a variety often celebrated for its elegance. Concentrated dark fruit, intriguing spice, and serious texture make one thing clear: this Pinot has a little attitude, and we're here for it.

After four vintages with their fair share of drama, 2023 was a welcome return to normal. Typical timing. Typical yields. Typical harvest dates. Boring? Maybe. We loved every minute of it. A warm May erased a slow start to spring, while steady summer conditions and a cooler finish gave the fruit time to develop exceptional flavor and maturity without being rushed. For the winemaking team, that consistency was a gift—great wine was simply easier to make.

Hand-harvested in October, the fruit underwent a faster, warmer 10-day fermentation entirely in oak barrels, with 20% whole-cluster inclusion to bring added complexity and structure. The wine then spent a total of 30 days in contact with the grape skins, building depth, concentration, and texture. From there, it was aged for 23 months in 100% new oak, allowing its bold character to develop additional richness and polish.

The result is a Pinot Noir with some serious presence. Layers of black plum, brambleberry, and dark spice meet hints of star anise, sassafras, and cola. Plush and generously textured, the palate carries a savory edge and a lingering, sophisticated finish. It's powerful without losing its composure, proving that Pinot Noir can have both finesse and a little muscle.

Bottled on September 8, 2025, just two barrels were produced, yielding a mere 48 cases. Dark, layered, and unapologetically expressive—Solaksen is Pinot Noir that refuses to play by the rules.