Mission Codename Art 'n' Noir
You like art as much as we do? And Pinot? Well, what’s better than art or Pinot? Art AND Pinot!
Once upon a time at a wine country party Agent Noir jokingly inquired; “are you Eric or are you Kent tonight?” as the wines of Eric Kent do have many personalities, just like multidimensional owner-winemaker Kent ‘Eric’ Humphrey. With a limitless passion for all things wine, along with harvests of tutelage under William Hunter of Chasseur Wines and Mike Officer of Carlisle Winery, Eric Kent was bound to make it big when he started back in 2003.
Vivid ruby with slight garnet on the edge and bright purple highlights up close. The dizzying perfume is primarily of overt wild berries, red raspberry, to black cherry, with sweet spice nuances lingering in the background too. Superb balance strikes the palate, straddling effortlessly between ripe fruit, sappy grip, silky tannins, and juicy freshness. The finish accentuates touch of earth, and savory summer herbs fill a broad, warm, and long mouthfeel. While the perfect pairing would be a plate with roasted balsamic fig glazed quail over a bed of mushroom risotto, haricots verts, many other combinations of deliciousness would work harmoniously with this breathtaking Pinot Noir.
Sacha Marie is Kent’s beloved daughter, born shortly before the inaugural release of this special reserve label worthy of her name in 2009. If today is your first time discovering these Artist Label gems, you’re not alone, as Eric Kent has managed to stay under the radar pretty well since. In the early days Sommelier Journal wrote; “These Pinot Noirs are ethereal. His philosophy is when the work is done well in the vineyard and nature cooperates, intervention and manipulation are rarely needed. Humphrey and his wife, Colleen Teitgen, a former art director, encourage up-and-coming local artists by commissioning them to design the beautiful Eric Kent back labels, as well as by supporting Sonoma arts events.”
The stunning art included with this correspondingly endowed Pinot Noir is by Valerie Savarie should you wish to get to know her work better via that link. Meanwhile, not much has changed at Eric Kent over the past 2 decades, as every bottle you buy of this continues to support the artist.
Savor the wine and the art, while experiencing these dichotomous diamonds, thanks to the absurd Wine Spies exclusive savings today only while quantities last!
Here’s what the wine press has to say:
93 Points – PinotFile - “Moderate garnet color in the glass. Rapturous nose offering scents of black cherry, black raspberry and exotic spices. Vivid, fresh purple and black fruit flavors filled out with a compliment of oak. The burliest and fruitiest wine of the three tasted here, but not jammy. Excellent harmony with pleasing length on the finish.”
92 Points – Wine Spectator - “Lithe, featuring rich cedary accents to the feathered raspberry, dried cherry and currant flavors. Juicy midpalate, with a savory undercurrent on the finish. 247 cases made. Drink now through 2023.”
91 Points – Wine Enthusiast - “Earthy rhubarb and pomegranate permeate this wine, which is rich and layered in a powerful grip of ripeness and weight. Enduring aspects of forest floor, black tea and baking spice enliven the fruit and toasted oak.”
Tasting Profile
Tasting Profile
Look | A vivid ruby with slight garnet on the edge and bright purple highlights up close. |
---|---|
Smell | Dizzying perfume of overt wild berries, red raspberry, to black cherry, and spice. |
Taste | Superb balance between ripe fruit, sappy grip, silky tannins, and juicy freshness. |
Finish | Touch of earth and savory summer herbs fill a broad, warm, and long mouthfeel. |
Pairing | Roasted balsamic fig glazed quail over a bed of mushroom risotto, haricots verts. |
What the Winery Says
2016 'Sascha Marie' Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
- Winemaker
- Kent Humphrey
- Vintage
- 2016
- Varietal
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Appellation
- Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
- Vineyards
- 95% Roberts Road (Sangiacomo), 5% Grand Vent (Clary Ranch)
- Clones
- 47% 777, 48% Swan, 2% 943, 2% Pommard, 1% 667
- Alcohol
- 14.7%
- Total acidity
- 6.3g/L
- pH
- 3.6
- Aging
- 15 months
- Barrels
- 62% new French oak
- Bottling date
- January 17, 2018
- Production
- 10 barrels