2021 Peter Michael le Caprice Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast California

The 2021 Peter Michael Le Caprice is an estate-grown Pinot Noir from the winery's Fort Ross-Seaview vineyard, on the rugged western edge of Sonoma County. The vineyard sits more than 1,000 feet above sea level on steep slopes reaching more than 50% grade, facing east and northeast. Its location benefits from the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean while receiving plenty of mountain sunshine, and its soils combine clay, silt and volcanic gravels. Le Caprice is the most fruit-driven of Peter Michael's three estate Pinot Noir vineyards, producing a particularly expressive style of Pinot Noir.

The 2021 vintage shows blackberry, ripe raspberry, black cherry and violet, with more savory layers of sandalwood, black truffle, forest floor and spice. The palate is silky and seamless, with concentrated red and dark fruit, fine tannins and a mineral thread that carries through the finish. The wine was made from 100% Pinot Noir, naturally fermented with native yeast and matured in French oak, with approximately 40–50% new oak. Only 1,083 cases were produced, and the 2021 has significant aging potential, with critics citing windows extending well into the 2030s and beyond.