Argot, 'Bastard Tongue' Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California, 2022

Overview of the Wine
'Argot' refers to a shared language, borne from, and reinforcing the intimacy associated with tight-knit groups, whom are brought together by their common interests and shared histories:
"Each significant relationship in life gives rise to an 'argot' among the members who define it. The deeper the bond, and longer its history, this argot’s vocabulary becomes more personal, allowing it to strengthen and enhance the dynamic. When opening a bottle of wine, so too is opened the flow of conversation and ability to connect. Throughout human history wine has been used for worship, celebration, mourning and, more simply, sharing life. The wine brand Argot honors the beautiful symmetry and complementary nature that wine and communication hold. Round up a friend, pull a cork, splash a glass, and enjoy."

Argot was created by winemaker Justin Harmon in 2007. Justin fell in love with wine as a consumer, and his education in chemical engineering drew him into the winemaking process. He began experimenting in his parent's Chicago basement, using a kit and then flash-frozen grapes brought in by rail car from Napa, then moved to California for his first harvest work in 2005. After harvest internships in 2006 & 2007, Justin bought his first ton of grapes & began the Argot project.

Argot is dedicated to crafting small lots from Sonoma County at the highest quality level. Annual production is small at 2,500 9-liter cases.

Sustainably farmed. Sourced from both high-elevation and valley floor vineyards, located in the cool climate AVAs of Sonoma Mountain, Bennett Valley and Petaluma Gap.

Grape / Blend
100% Pinot Noir

Origin
Sonoma County, California

Tasting Notes
Argot’s popstar—famous, beautiful, magnetic, unforgettable. A full-throttle, rich, and hedonistic Pinot Noir, unbounded by rules, with enduring complexities, and a gravity always drawing back to the swirl. Since 2011, ‘BT’ has been haunting palates long after the last sip becomes a memory.

97 Points - FMW
This Bastard Tongue is riveting, and reminds me of amazing Grand Cru Burgundies. This wine is striking, bursting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, grilled game, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and violets. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, lush, and yet elegant, with a bottomless core of fruit, rich but supple structuring tannins, and a long, muscular finish. This wine is the rock star of Sonoma County Pinot Noir that delivers the goods. Drink it any time over the coming 8-10 years.

97 Points - The Wine Independent 
The Pinot Noir Bastard Tongue is pale to medium ruby-purple in color. It swans out of the glass with showy notes of kirsch, juicy raspberries, and fresh cranberries with hints of lavender, iris, iron ore, and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed with bright, energetic black and red berry flavors, giving off a firework display of mineral and floral accents, supported by seamless freshness and a firm, fine-grained texture, finishing long, long, long. This is simply stunning.

Product size: 750ml