2020 Niclaire Pinot Noir
California AVA


Tasting Notes
“Deep red hue. Complex notes of boysenberry, blackberry, ripe cherry, anise, and sage unite in this enchanting ‘best of the best,’ Pinot Noir barrel blend. Secondary notes of pomegranate and jasmine give way to a refreshing aroma profile. Once on the palate, the flavors remain true to the aroma profile and are accentuated by lush tannins and vibrant acidity. This wine finishes with incredible depth and intricacy. Enjoy now through 2032. ”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
April 2022
“Dark garnet color in the glass. Haunting aromas of black cherry, raspberry, sous bois and new oak. Discreet intensity of flavor in a mid-weight style, offering flavors of dark red cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, and spice. Flawless, with a very sleek mouthfeel and spot-on integration of tannins and acidity. Very well-mannered now and easy to like, but has the balance to rest in the cellar for even more enjoyment in years to come. This is the winemaker’s best effort and it shows.”
Rusty Gaffney
The PinotFile
December 2022
Production Data
Growers: Various
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: California AVA
Viticulture Practice: Sourced from Certified Sustainable and Organic vineyards
Vinification: Destemmed, fermented in stainless steel
Cooperage & Barrel Ageing: 16 months in 100% French Oak, 65% new
Production: 26 barrels
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Acidity: 3.4 pH, 6.44 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.4%
Harvest: September 2020
Club Release: June 2022
Release Price: $100
Drink Now through 2032
Past Vintage Wine Scores
2020 Niclaire Pinot Noir – Barrel Composition
Barrel | Vineyard (Clone) | Cooper | Type |
---|---|---|---|
20284 | Brosseau (113 & 115) | Billon | Select |
20324 | La Rinconada (4) | François Frères | VTG Medium |
18148 | La Rinconada (4) | François Frères | TG Medium+ toast |
20156 | La Rinconada (4) | Billon | Allier Medium 3-y |
20327 | La Rinconada (4) | François Frères | VTG Medium |
20202 | La Rinconada (Mount Eden) | Seguin Moreau | Icone Blanc Medium |
20248 | La Rinconada (Mount Eden) | Remond | Allier Medium 3-y |
19258 | La Rinconada (Mount Eden) | Cadus | Vosges Medium |
19260 | La Rinconada (Mount Eden) | Cadus | Vosges Medium |
19144 | La Rinconada (Mount Eden) | François Frères | VTG Medium 4-y |
20320 | Rancho La Viña (115) | La Sienne | Light and long toast |
20213 | Rincon (667 & 115) | Seguin Moreau | TG Medium 3-y |
20329 | Rincon (115) | François Frères | TG Medium 4-y |
20088 | Rincon (115) | François Frères | TG Medium 4-y |
20087 | Rincon (115) | François Frères | Allier Medium 3-y |
20244 | Rosemary’s (667) | Remond | Allier Medium |
19032 | Rosemary’s (667) | Remond | Icone Blanc Medium |
20206 | Sanford & Benedict (AS-1) | Seguin Moreau | VSG Medium |
20242 | Sanford & Benedict (667) | Remond | Allier Medium |
19326 | Sanford & Benedict (667) | Seguin Moreau | TG Medium 3-y |
20135 | Sanford & Benedict (667) | François Frères | VSG Medium |
19049 | Sanford & Benedict (943) | Remond | Allier Medium |
20095 | Sanford & Benedict (943) | François Frères | TG Medium 3-y |
20131 | Sanford & Benedict (943) | François Frères | VSG Medium |
19057 | Sanford & Benedict (943) | Remond | Tronçais Medium |
19129 | Sanford & Benedict (943) | François Frères | TG Medrium+ toast |
Tight Grain (TG), Very Special Grain (VSG), Very Tight Grain (VTG), Citeaux Forest (CF), Allier Forest (AF), Vosges Forest (VF), Icone Blanc (IB), Center of France (CoF)
California AVA
Don’t let the California appellation designation fool you, our Jensen Reserve Society wines are made from our top selection barrels that come from the best vineyards for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California, from the Russian River Valley to the north to the Santa Rita Hills to the south. Each year, Director of Winemaking Bill Brosseau and his team select the top 10-12 barrels from more than a thousand to make this special wine that bares the Jensen Family’s names – the matriarch “Diana’s” and the combination of Nick and Claire for Niclaire. It is our highest achievement in winemaking.