22 Dec Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Domaine Carneros Pinot Clair 2019 White Pinot Noir

Domaine Carneros is known for incredibly delicious sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir. But there are 6 barrels (150 cases) made of a very special, somewhat unique wine as well. It is a white Pinot Noir made from 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir and vinified white. It has a beautiful nose that includes aromas found in both white and red wines. The Domaine Carneros Pinot Clair 2019 White Pinot Noir has more body and a richer mouthfeel than many white wines and is the Please The Palate wine of the week. Pinot Noir makes such a silky and elegant red wine, sometime we have to ask, why vinify it white? But, Pinot Noir, with its thin skins, is particularly well suited to vinifying white to make a luscious, elegant wine. And the wine is like tasting what Pinot Noir tastes like without the skins. Domaine Carneros’ Pinot Noir Winemaker TJ Evans made the first white Pinot Noir in 2008. It was made continuously until production stopped in 2017 and 2018. But fortunately, it is back with the 2019, the 10th vintage of Domaine Carneros white Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir is gently pressed. Half is fermented in a concrete egg, and half in oak. The oak is predominantly neutral with only 26% new French oak. The wine spends 14 months sur lie and then 6 months aging in the bottle. The wine has a stunningly elegant nose with aromas of apple, pear, lemongrass, citrus, honeydew, honeycomb, and subtle red berry notes. On the palate, the wine has a lovely mouthfeel with a round, fleshy character and a long finish. The delicate beauty of this wine is matched by its meaty body, making it a beautiful wine to enjoy with food, such as salmon, tuna, a buttery fish, or a creamy cheese. I paired my bottle with grilled lemon-mustard chicken. Only 150 cases were made of the Domaine Carneros Pinot Clair 2019 White Pinot Noir, which retailed for $48. Unfortunately, it has already sold out. But the 2020 is coming soon! Available only at the winery, Domaine Carneros announces the release (typically around April). The wine is then available to order but sells out within the month. So sign up for Domaine Carneros’ mailing list to be notified when the next Pinot Clair is released!!!