Black Kite Cellars Kite's Rest Pinot Noir

Perched along the cool, fog-laced slopes of California’s Anderson Valley, Kite’s Rest stands as the centerpiece of Black Kite Cellars’ portfolio and a true reflection of this coastal appellation’s precision and beauty. The vineyard, carved into a hillside near the Navarro River and sheltered by towering redwoods, benefits from gravelly loam soils and dramatic diurnal shifts that preserve acidity while allowing for slow, even ripening. Each of the three estate blocks; Stony Terrace, River Turn, and Redwoods’ Edge contributes a distinct layer to the final wine, from structure and depth to aromatic lift. Under the direction of winemaker Jeff Gaffner, the fruit is hand-harvested, gently destemmed with a portion left as whole clusters, and fermented in small open-top tanks before spending 16 months in French oak barrels, about half of them new. The result is a wine that honors both vineyard and vintage, built through patience rather than intervention. In the glass, Kite’s Rest is immediately expressive, offering aromas of black cherry, wild raspberry, and pomegranate alongside notes of rose petal, forest floor, and baking spice. The palate is layered and elegant, balancing ripe fruit with fine, silky tannins and a persistent line of acidity that speaks to the cool-climate origins of the wine. Subtle oak framing lends polish and depth without weighing down the freshness. As it opens, hints of clove, cedar, and crushed stone emerge, underscoring its complexity and potential for graceful evolution. Its bright acidity and fine structure make it a natural match for dishes like duck breast with cherry glaze, roast chicken with herbs, or cedar-plank salmon. It also pairs beautifully with earthy ingredients like wild mushrooms, lentils, or truffle risotto that highlight the wine’s balance of fruit and savory depth. More than a showcase of site, Kite’s Rest is a study in harmony between richness and restraint, power and poise. It captures the quiet energy of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir at its most refined, offering both immediate pleasure and the promise of beauty with time in the cellar.