Argot Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir 2023

Wow this impressed, tiny production that comes to us from the consumer’s love of wine. Justin Harmon Grew up in Chicago with no family interest in wine. Came to wine as a consumer, fell in love, began devouring all things wine. Chemical engineer by education, drawn to the process. Began making wine in my basement in Chicago. Started with a concentrate kit, grew to flash-frozen grapes, brought to Chicago by rail car from Napa, fermented in garbage cans, pressed through nylon bags to carboy. Following season, 2005, came to California for first harvest work. Harvest internships in 06 and 07, bought first ton of grapes at end of 07 harvest and began Argot. The Argot Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir has developed a cult following, this is a Pinot Noir that no stemware can contain. The palate’s profound depth is balanced by an inherent freshness, allowing the wine to crackle with brambly energy, while sustained by bass notes of underbrush, black tea, pie spice and baker’s chocolate. The Argot Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir 2023 is a formidable rendition of “Bastard Tongue”, and a deserving successor to its line. Compared to Grand Cru red Burgundy, The wine got a huge 97pts by IWR who commented, “This is one of the most delicious bottles of Pinot Noir I can recall.“

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.

Jeb Dunncuk commented “If you haven’t heard of Justin Harmon, you should write that name down. Bravo, sir.” We agree this Pinot Noir rivals the finest we have tasted this year. Top of the pyramid Pinot Noir. Taste the difference.