Carson 2020 Naramata Vineyard Pinot Noir 750ml

Winemaker Chris Carson is the force behind this eponymous label that comes off the spare, free draining, alluvial/colluvial soils of Todd Road Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. I last tasted a very good 2016, and in 2018, a big wildfire year, the latest version is equally as good. The Carson style is a bit carefree upfront and then more serious on the palate. It’s a mix of 115 and 667 Dijon clones lending it a juicy, dark red and black fruit profile. The midpalate is savoury and rich with just a touch of grip, but at 13.5 percent alcohol, the textures are silky and slippery in the finish. Reminiscent of a meeting of Central Otago and Oregon with a big squeeze of Okanagan. The ferment is natural and goes through full malolactic before the wine ages for 11 months in 1/3 new French oak, 1/3 two year old barrels, 16% each of 3 and 4 year old barrels.

Score: 91 points -- Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi On Wine, Oct 2021 (2018 vintage)