Haynes Vineyard Pinot Noir "Forgeron" 2022
(Coombsville, Napa Valley, California) - [DM 97] [JS 97] [TWI 95] [WA 94] [VM 92]

About the Winery:
Haynes Vineyard is a single-vineyard, single-estate winery, owned by the Lawrence family - only the third family to own the vineyard, having purchased it from the Whitford/Haynes family, who bought it from Napa City founder Nathan Coombs in the late 19th century. In 1967, the Haynes family granted André Tchelistcheff permission to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, now the oldest in Napa Valley. The three expressions of Chardonnay from the site reflect its terroir, its story, and the people who define its character: what we grow – Vigneron, what we make – Forgeron, and what we love – Corazon.

About this Wine:
Floral, spicy, and aromatic, it has the structure of Burgundy but with sun-kissed fruit that rounds out the palate. Planted in 1968 with Louis Martini clones, these vines can live in the world of restraint even in years with heat spikes. Whole cluster style Pinot Noir with subtle oak aging. Higher acidity due to the cool vineyard site produces a fully ripe and balanced Pinot Noir.

Technical Data:

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Decanter Magazine: 
"All free-run juice is used to craft this balanced, finesse-driven, yet powerful and exacting Pinot Noir. It opens with crunchy cherry, rich conifer notes, blood orange, and incense, delivering a layered and vibrant aromatic profile. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers perfectly pure cherry juice and blood orange, with precise, firm tannins that form long, elegant chains, eventually melting away into the bright, juicy acidity. Subtle Indian spices, coriander, cumin, and white pepper add complexity, but the wine remains remarkably pure at its core. Winemaker Nico Cueva, who became the first winemaker at Kosta Browne after Michael Browne stepped aside, describes his ethos for this programme as preserving as much fruit expression as possible. He joined for the 2019 harvest and has entirely led winemaking since 2020. Sourced from just over 1.2 hectares of Pinot Noir vines planted in 1967, the wine was aged in 60–80% new oak, with 50–75% whole cluster fermentation. Readers should pay close attention to the whimsical labels, which include exact alcohol percentages to two decimal places and meticulously detailed oak ageing specifications." - Jonathan Cristaldi (Feb 2025)

97 Points - James Suckling:
"The aromatics are marvelous in this with strawberries, violets, hibiscus, stone, and flowers. Full-bodied and very primary with a transparency and beauty which is rather ethereal. Citrus undertones. Bark and fresh mushrooms. Crunchy and textural. 50% whole cluster. All from Martini clone planted in 1967. Drinkable but this will be even better in 2026." (Nov 2023)

95 Points - The Wine Independent:
"Pale ruby-purple in color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Forgeron pops from the glass with vivacious scents of raspberry, wild strawberry, and red roses followed by hints of black pepper, lavender, and wild sage with a hint of forest floor. The light-bodied palate is pure energy, with vibrant red berry and floral layers and a racy backbone with wonderfully chewy tannins, finishing long and fragrant. This was made with 75% whole cluster fermentation from the Martini clone on St Georges rootstock, planted in 1968." – LPB (Aug 2024)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"With approximately 80% whole-cluster fermentation this vintage, the 2022 Pinot Noir is explosively floral and spicy, with notes of potpourri, tea and roses backed by cherry fruit. It's medium-bodied, crisp and silky, with an elegant, lingering finish. Complexity and finesse are the strong suits here." – Joe Czerwinski (Jul 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Forgeron emerges from vines planted in 1967, all Martini clone on St. George rootstock. Delicate and gracious in feel, the 2022 captures all the old-school Napa classicism of this site. Floral, savory and earthy notes take center stage, while fruit is more in the background. The 2022 was done with 85% stems, but the whole clusters are not especially evident. Aging was ten months in mostly 500-liter barrels, 80% new." – Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)