Folk Machine Central Coast Pinot Noir 2024

Elegant and lean per normal, but unmistakably, a California Pinot Noir with ethereal fruit and spice. The nose is delicate and light with aromas of tea, bing cherry, white raspberry, sage and a just there earth note. On the palate, elegant and lean -- a bright, light expression of Pinot showing notes of strawberry, cherry, mint and anise. Easy and refreshing.

The 2024 Central Coast Pinot Noir is largely a blend of two vineyards in Arroyo Seco, Mission Ranch and Cedar Lane with a small amount of Vecino from Potter Valley also added. As always, the clonal selections are primarily Pommard and 2A (Wädenswil), but with a little Dijon mix for forward fruit and riper flavors. Each lot was fully destemmed but not crushed, leaving whole berries in the fermentation. The primary fermentation was un-inoculated and the Malolactic fermentation was spontaneous. Pulse-air pump overs employed once per day to keep the extraction even but minimal. No racking, keeping the wine on the lees with occasional batonage to round out the mouthfeel until bottling. Aged in 2-6 year old French oak barrels.

Folk Machine is self-described as menace to the wine industry, a project of Kenny Likitprakong. He sought wines from California that offered more approachable drinking and lower alcohol than the powerhouses that once dominated the region.