Birichino Pinot Noir Enz Vineyard Lime Kiln Valley 2020

Origin and manufacturer

The wine is created by California winery Birichino, run by Alex Krause and John Locke. It comes from the Enz Vineyard parcel in Lime Kiln Valley (San Benito County), where vines are planted on a subsoil of lime, dolomite and decomposed granite. The vines are grown without irrigation (“dry-farmed”), and the winery prioritizes minimal intervention with natural yeast cells and no fining or filtration.

Technical information

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir.

Vineyard: Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley.

Alcohol percentage: approximately 14% vol. for the 2020 vintage.

Vinification: Hand-harvested grapes, fermentation with whole bunches (proportion varies), gentle treatment and aging in French barriques (often 10–20% new) for around 16 months.

Aroma and flavor profile

Aroma: The wine appears in the glass with a clear ruby ​​red color. The aroma offers a combination of ripe red berries (such as cherries, raspberries), violets, a touch of flowers and an earthy/mineral note, which comes from the field's calcareous/granite sandy soil.
Taste: On the palate, it is a wine of charm and complexity – ripe fruit meets structure in the form of fine tannins and elegant acidity. Notes of red and dark berries, dark chocolate or mocha emerge, as well as light spice and a mineral finish. The aftertaste is long and well-balanced.

Food matching and serving

Serving temperature: Approximately 14-16 °C to highlight the wine's finesse.

Food match: Excellent for dishes such as veal, game, mushrooms, poultry or mature cheeses – in general, dishes where the elegance and fruitiness of the wine can come into its own.

This wine has aging potential , but is also a great experience now for those who want characterful Pinot Noir from California with a terroir touch.

Overall impression

Combining the best of Californian terroir – limestone, granite and cool evenings – with the finesse of Pinot Noir and Birichino’s dedication to minimal intervention, Birichino Pinot Noir 2020 offers rich fruit, structural elegance and a mineral underpinning , making it an exciting wine for the discerning wine lover.