School House Vineyard
Spring Mountain District Pinot Noir
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Since 2020 wild yeast fermentation with at least 20% whole cluster (layering in fermenter). They’ve been using whole cluster since 2010 hovering around 10-15% gradually increasing. 1992-1995 vintages not destemmed completely either. Sweet cola nut, cranberry, red juicy cherry, sweet baking spices. High acidity, medium soft tannins. 2018 meatier and weightier locking in at 13.6%. In 2020 they separated the native yeast vs non native yeast ferments. According to Tim, native yeast led to better alcohol conversion, richer wine at same alcohol compared to without.
Precious old vines and newly replanted vines. Completely dry farmed no drip lines at all! Some of which are suffering from Pierce’s disease and leafroll virus.
I was told back in 2016 Kelli White and her husband had a deal with John and Nancy to lease their vineyards but they backed off at the last minute… I for one memorized every little detail about School House from Kelli’s tome Napa Valley Then and Now
Since 2020 wild yeast fermentation with at least 20% whole cluster (layering in fermenter). They’ve been using whole cluster since 2010 hovering around 10-15% gradually increasing. 1992-1995 vintages not destemmed completely either. Sweet cola nut, cranberry, red juicy cherry, sweet baking spices. High acidity, medium soft tannins. 2018 meatier and weightier locking in at 13.6%. In 2020 they separated the native yeast vs non native yeast ferments. According to Tim, native yeast led to better alcohol conversion, richer wine at same alcohol compared to without.
Precious old vines and newly replanted vines. Completely dry farmed no drip lines at all! Some of which are suffering from Pierce’s disease and leafroll virus.
I was told back in 2016 Kelli White and her husband had a deal with John and Nancy to lease their vineyards but they backed off at the last minute… I for one memorized every little detail about School House from Kelli’s tome Napa Valley Then and Now
Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.
Pretty nose of black currants, black cherries, raspberries, spices, light earth, light oak, wild flowers, tobacco leaf and black pepper.
Medium bodied and elegant with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, sweet raspberries, earth, light oak, spices, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates and black pepper.
Long finish with very little tannins and sour cranberries.
This 12 year old Pinot Noir from Napa Valley is delicious now. Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel.
Actually, it feels more like a Burgundy Pinot Noir. Interesting stuff.
Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. Nicely balanced and good by itself.
This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is peaking now. A great sipping wine.
Thank you Scott for sharing this with me.
I had the 2014 a year ago, and this is even better. Delicious wine.
100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Unfiltered and unfined.
13.4% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$210. ($65 current vintage).
Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.
Pretty nose of black currants, black cherries, raspberries, spices, light earth, light oak, wild flowers, tobacco leaf and black pepper.
Medium bodied and elegant with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, sweet raspberries, earth, light oak, spices, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates and black pepper.
Long finish with very little tannins and sour cranberries.
This 12 year old Pinot Noir from Napa Valley is delicious now. Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel.
Actually, it feels more like a Burgundy Pinot Noir. Interesting stuff.
Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. Nicely balanced and good by itself.
This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is peaking now. A great sipping wine.
Thank you Scott for sharing this with me.
I had the 2014 a year ago, and this is even better. Delicious wine.
100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Unfiltered and unfined.
13.4% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$210. ($65 current vintage).
Elegant old school Pinot - rose petals and soft tannins. Fruit starting to fade for sure so drink this soon if you’re holding on to some.
Elegant old school Pinot - rose petals and soft tannins. Fruit starting to fade for sure so drink this soon if you’re holding on to some.
Feb 20th, 2022
Beautiful Burgundian style Pinot with soft suttle red fruits with beautiful acidity and a great long finish.
Beautiful Burgundian style Pinot with soft suttle red fruits with beautiful acidity and a great long finish.
Jul 23rd, 2020
2013, very much like a village level burg. Plum fruit
2013, very much like a village level burg. Plum fruit
Dec 20th, 2017
It’s been far too long since having a School House Pinot Noir in my glass. Classic Spring Mountain tannin and savory edge throughout, cooperage is well integrated, plenty of resolve in the dark black cherry and plum fruit here. Soulful and earthy without ever losing freshness. Leather, pine, sandalwood, wilted violets, moss and almost an amaro spice note.
It’s been far too long since having a School House Pinot Noir in my glass. Classic Spring Mountain tannin and savory edge throughout, cooperage is well integrated, plenty of resolve in the dark black cherry and plum fruit here. Soulful and earthy without ever losing freshness. Leather, pine, sandalwood, wilted violets, moss and almost an amaro spice note.
1 person found it helpfulOct 30th, 2020
Beautiful fruit, balance . What a wine
Beautiful fruit, balance . What a wine
Mar 17th, 2014Light, simple, easy, sweet... Not horrible, but not delicious either.
Light, simple, easy, sweet... Not horrible, but not delicious either.
Dec 22nd, 2013
Some funk up front. Better on day 2
Some funk up front. Better on day 2
Dec 13th, 2025