Lynmar Estate was founded in 1990 by Lynn Fritz and made its inaugural vintage in 1994. The estate’s Quail Hill Vineyard in the Russian River Valley had been purchased 10 years prior to the founding of the winery. The name Lynmar reflects the owner’s name and the winery’s proximity to the ocean. Three additional Russian River vineyards are now part of the family. The winery’s modern hospitality center features wine tastings with food pairings using seasonal produce from their own gardens, prepared by their resident chefs.

The 2018 Lynmar Monastery Pinot Noir is crafted from a selection of 667 and 115 Pommard clones. Its sweet, perfumed aromas fill the glass with dark cherries, brambly fruit and exotic notes of crushed herbs and baking spices. The aromas follow through with decadent flavors of wild blueberries, dark cherries, raspberry and savory notes of vanilla, Asian spices, and black tea. Beautifully fresh and balanced for all its richness, it has the stuffing to age, if you have the discipline to resist its charms now.

By Michael Yang