Wayfarer

The Traveller Fort Ross - Seaview Sonoma County Pinot Noir

9.423 ratings
102 pro ratings
Sonoma County, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Top Notes For
Wayfarer Vineyard

The soulful expression of a single “suitcase clone”, The Traveler pays homage to the legendary journey of the original vine cutting from Burgundy’s most revered vineyard. Deep ruby red in hue, the nose on this wine opens gently with fresh floral notes of lavender and violet segueing to blackberry, boysenberry, cranberry and raspberry. Exceptionally focused, the structure is elegant with fine-grained tannins that present grip and finesse in concert. With time in the glass, the wine blooms and deepens, displaying notes of wild red berries, roasted nuts and vanilla bean while sustaining its bright acidity. The intriguing finish lingers long with minerality and ringing aromatics. This focused, complex wine invites further aging to fully reveal its remarkable eloquence and power.

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, reserving 22% for whole-cluster fermentation prior to de-stemming. The remaining berries were de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to tank. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 63% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.

The soulful expression of a single “suitcase clone”, The Traveler pays homage to the legendary journey of the original vine cutting from Burgundy’s most revered vineyard. Deep ruby red in hue, the nose on this wine opens gently with fresh floral notes of lavender and violet segueing to blackberry, boysenberry, cranberry and raspberry. Exceptionally focused, the structure is elegant with fine-grained tannins that present grip and finesse in concert. With time in the glass, the wine blooms and deepens, displaying notes of wild red berries, roasted nuts and vanilla bean while sustaining its bright acidity. The intriguing finish lingers long with minerality and ringing aromatics. This focused, complex wine invites further aging to fully reveal its remarkable eloquence and power.

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, reserving 22% for whole-cluster fermentation prior to de-stemming. The remaining berries were de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to tank. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 63% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.

2 people found it helpfulJul 24th, 2014
Sean Smith

Extraordinary Pinot reminiscent of an aged Burgundy. Earth, cherry and vanilla.

Extraordinary Pinot reminiscent of an aged Burgundy. Earth, cherry and vanilla.

1 person found it helpfulMay 27th, 2016
Russ Stoner

Helen Turley suitcase clone from DRC cutting

Helen Turley suitcase clone from DRC cutting

1 person found it helpfulApr 10th, 2015
Moin Rastegar,C.S.W

Gold Rige soil, extreme Sonoma Coast with suitcase Clone Pinot!! But this if you can't afford DRC ))

Gold Rige soil, extreme Sonoma Coast with suitcase Clone Pinot!! But this if you can't afford DRC ))

1 person found it helpfulApr 10th, 2015
Billy L.

Jayson Pahlmeyer’s “The Traveler” is a DRC Suitcase clone. In this realm IMO Pisoni is the real deal! Cheers 🍇🍷

Jayson Pahlmeyer’s “The Traveler” is a DRC Suitcase clone. In this realm IMO Pisoni is the real deal! Cheers 🍇🍷

Dec 21st, 2021
Michael Housewright

Writer/Photographer Wine Enthusiast Magazine

A friend makes this. I will only say, she is one of CA's best winemakers. Brilliant

A friend makes this. I will only say, she is one of CA's best winemakers. Brilliant

Mar 27th, 2016
Joe Roth

A little tight on opening but after a while it’s drinking nicely.

A little tight on opening but after a while it’s drinking nicely.

Sep 17th, 2018
Eric Urbani

Eric had this 5 years ago

Eric had this 5 years ago

Mar 7th, 2019
Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

10

Andrew had this 10 years ago

Andrew had this 10 years ago

Aug 19th, 2014
Mark Rosse

Mark had this 7 months ago

Mark had this 7 months ago

Aug 30th, 2023