The color of this wine is a beautiful blend of ruby and brick red. On the nose, this wine leads with big red fruit like ripe red cherry, plum, and raspberries intertwined with a subtle hint of earthiness. On the palate, dark Bing cherries take center stage, along with flavors of raspberry bramble. The fruit-forward flavors carry over to an enchanting mix of forest floor and wet river bed, which gives way to a hint of cherry pie on the finish.
This vintage delivers nice, strong acidity that enlivens the mouth and gives this wine excellent ageability. No detectable tannins provide a smooth, elegant finish that lingers softly. Though young, this Pinot Noir possesses great aging potential. Drink now, or lay down for 5-7 years.
The 2019 Pinot Noir is well suited for decanting, which will allow its complex flavors and nuances to fully unfold.
Vintage Notes
Famed Napa Valley winemaker Cathy Corison summed it up by saying “The 2019 growing season was blissfully unremarkable with a long, cool finish resulting in firm structure wrapped in juicy, complex fruit.” In farming, nothing beats a boring year. And 2019 was a boring year - no weather anomalies, no extremes, no fires, no surprises arrived in the Napa Valley in 2019.
The season began with abundant rainfall in the winter months. And then throughout spring and early summer, we received mostly breezy, sun-soaked afternoons marked by low humidity. As late summer arrived, we maintained relatively mild conditions, which allowed for extended hang time, preserving the fruit’s freshness and finesse. The Pinot Noir harvest commenced on September 19th, bringing a gentle conclusion to the season. The pick went smoothly, and we brought in a total of 16 tons of Pinot Noir – a perfectly average yield from our 8-acre vineyard. The quality of the fruit was outstanding, indicating a highly promising vintage.
Winemaker Notes
Harvest started on September 19, 2019. Grapes were delivered to the winery, de-stemmed, and pumped into stainless-steel tanks to begin a 14-day fermentation on skin and seeds. Wine is fermented dry and then pressed before being pumped into French Oak barrels to finish malolactic fermentation and begin aging. Wine is racked off of the lees three times over 12 months before being blended and bottled.
Food Pairings
Pairs well with cheeses like brie, gouda, gruyere, and chèvre. Serve with meats such as duck, lamb, and chicken. Vegetarians should try pairing this wine with eggplant parmesan, mushroom risotto, and a tomato-based vegetable stew. Very tasty with milk chocolate, and fruit or nut-based desserts, especially desserts that include blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or cherries.
Specs
Composition: 100% Estate-grown Pinot Noir
Clones: Pommard, Dijon 114 & 115, Swan, and “R” clone)
TA: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.6
Alcohol: 14.5%
Aging: 12 months French Oak barrels (neutral)
Production: 398
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x 2019 Elkhorn Peak Cellars Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Case:
12x 2019 Elkhorn Peak Cellars Pinot Noir, Napa Valley
At Elkhorn Peak Cellars, everything begins at home. Our vineyard sits at the heart of a 28-acre organic farm in south Napa Valley, part of a working homestead our family has been building with love since 1983. We farm the old-fashioned way: by hand, with heart, and always with the future in mind. Our commitment to organic practices and biodiversity helps keep our soil, vines, and surrounding ecosystem healthy.
We’re a small, family-run operation—grown slowly and sustainably, without corporate influence. We built this business from the ground up, reinvesting season after season, guided by a deep respect for the land and a dedication to our craft. Every decision—from pruning to bottling—is made with care, intention, and pride in doing things the right way. Ken Nerlove, Founder/Grower, works alongside his daughter, Elise Nerlove, and a tight-knit crew of family and friends to run Elkhorn Peak Cellars.
We produce fewer than 1,000 cases a year and sell exclusively through our website and Wine Club to people who value authenticity, craftsmanship, and connection.
At Elkhorn Peak, we’re not just growing grapes—we’re growing a way of life that honors the land, feeds the community, and stands proudly apart from the corporate wine machine. We’re proud to stand with a small but mighty community of independent farmers who believe wine should be personal, not corporate.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
2019 Elkhorn Peak Cellars Pinot Noir, Napa Valley
90 points, Wine Enthusiast
90 Points, Sommelier Challenge
Tasting Notes
Vintage Notes
Winemaker Notes
Food Pairings
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$648.00/Case for 12x 2019 Elkhorn Peak Cellars Pinot Noir, Napa Valley at Elkhorn Peak Cellars
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Oct 2 - Monday, Oct 6