At a glance

Producer

Carpe Diem

Region

Anderson Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Fruity

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$25-$35 USD

Tasting profile

Red cherry, pomegranate, subtle earth, dried cranberry, leather, faint spice; faded primary fruit, emerging tertiary elements

Evolution: Moved from bright fruit to more earthy, savory, and herbal tones with softer structure

At peak: Best drinking between 2017–2021; remaining bottles offer complexity but less primary vibrancy

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high; supports moderate longevity

Tannins

Soft, resolved

Alcohol

13.5% (typical for Anderson Valley Pinot)

Aging potential

2013 vintage was meant for mid-term cellaring (5-8 years)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2017 to 2020

Optimal window

2016 to 2022

Current status

Nearing end of optimal window; drink now

Current condition

Likely at or just past peak; still enjoyable with tertiary complexity

This Pinot Noir was designed for mid-term enjoyment and typically does not gain with extended cellaring beyond 8–10 years. By 2024, tertiary notes are prominent and some bottles may show slow decline depending on storage.

Food pairing

Duck with cherry sauce, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, roasted chicken, lentil and root vegetable stew

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Carpe Diem sources fruit from Anderson Valley vineyards, primarily from Roederer Estate and associated growers. These vineyards implement some sustainable viticultural practices (minimal irrigation, judicious use of integrated pest management, cover cropping, and select ecological practices) but fall short of formal certification. Energy use is efficient due to modern winery practices. Efforts for limited packaging waste noted; shift toward lighter-weight bottles in recent years.

Carpe Diem Pinot Noir 2013 reflects a moderate approach to sustainability. While the producer integrates select eco-conscious practices (cover cropping, integrated pest management, efficient water/energy use relative to region), they are not independently certified nor widely recognized for advanced sustainability leadership. Their sourcing from Anderson Valley (a region with generally good environmental standards) and partial adoption of lightweight packaging help, but the absence of certifications and neutral carbon efforts keep the overall score moderate. For eco-minded consumers, this wine is a reasonable, if not exemplary, choice compared to less-responsible mass-market producers, but it trails behind certified organic or carbon-neutral peers.