Jaw-Dropping: Singular Pinot - 2014 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Antikythera

Antica Terra's Antikythera is one of the most mind-boggling and ultimately compelling expressions of Pinot Noir.

Antikythera is truly one of the most singular examples of the grape that I've tasted.

It's difficult to conceive of a wine that could contain so many contradictory elements so seamlessly: power and relentless verve, fruit and emphatic mineral and savory notes, elegance and a rugged, brutal intensity.

This is an extremely complicated and mysterious wine. I strongly encourage you to try at least one bottle. It will be one of the most eye-opening bottles you'll try this year.

There's a lot to be said here, but this is first and foremost a story of terroir. Antica Terra is situated on a rare outcropping of sandstone and marine fossils with little top soil.

The vines produce small, concentrated grapes. Tasting Antikythera leaves the impression of a site distilled down to its essence.

We've tasted many vintages of Antikythera and 2014 may be the best vintage that we've encountered. For Oregon, the 2014 is among the best of the best of the past decade. The conditions were close to perfect and as Vinous Media's Josh Raynolds writes: "With the 2014s you’re going to taste winemakers’ Platonic Pinot Noirs—perfectly clear representations of their respective philosophies."

From Antica Terra's Maggie Harrison, you get a tension-filled tour de force. The flavor spectrum is crazy. It covers everything from a smoky, dark minerality to high-toned perfume, spice and forest floor accented blackberry fruit. It's really amazing how this rough and tumble, incredibly complex wine still manages to have finesse.

Antica Terra's winemaker, Maggie Harrison, has a biography as fascinating as the wines. After studying conflict resolution, Harrison landed a job at the Carter Center, but chose to spend a year traveling before heading to work. The short story goes that doubts crept in and before long Harrison had landed a gig at Sin Que Non during its early years and worked there for nine vintages. She was working on her own project, Lilian, when she was approached about Antica Terra. Harrison originally had no interest. However, once she saw the vineyards, she jumped at the opportunity. I encourage you to check out Harrsion's informative and very entertaining I'll Drink To That! interview.

When wines are as multifaceted and individual as Antikythera, write-ups can get long and this one certainly has. I'll wrap this up. It's rare that Pinot Noir from outside of Burgundy captures my imagination. The 2014 Antikythera certainly has. There's simply nothing like it.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden

Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits

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