2013 Foretell Pinot Noir – “Ab Actu Ad Posse Valet Illatio”
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Picked up both the 2013 Foretell Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir many years ago. Opened and did a story on the Cabernet Sauvignon in 2017 and just opened the Pinot Noir last evening.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
As the name implies, Foretell is the art of telling beforehand what is to come. Very appropriate for a winemaker of Sam Baxter’s pedigree, both from experience and knowledge. To walk about the vineyards and be able to pronounce the future quality of the wine is as much intellectual training as it is intuitive from years of experience.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The label on the wine also provides a clue as to the pedigree of this wine with the Latin phase “respice, adspice, prospice” meaning “look, look, look!” letting you know something good is in the bottle! With the other phrase “Ab Actu Ad Posse Valet Illatio” meaning “from the past one can infer the future”. And Sam provides his calculated prophecy based on his excellent experience.
Sam and Angela Baxter used a woodcut from Jost Amman, an astonishing craftsman, noted for his detail in his art from the 16th century, for their unique signature label. This label stands out and doesn’t need a bright color or a gimmick to be remembered. Simply classy.
Photo from Terra Valentine website
Foretell label is a part of Terra Valentine located on Spring Mountain. Sam Baxter is the wine maker for both and had been the winemaker for 12 years at Terra Valentine. In 2014 the founders of Terra Valentine exited the business and Sam negotiated the purchase. At the same time, he founded Foretell Wines to showcase his reserve and selected barrels producing both Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Now on to the wine. Sam makes both a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon with the Foretell label. This Pinot Noir is from Fort Ross-Seaview one of the westernmost AVA districts in California. It is in the hills west of Russian River Valley and within the Sonoma Coast appellation. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay find a comfortable home in this maritime climate.
The 2013 Pinot Noir Foretell beheld a ruby color glistening in the sunlight. I was concerned seeing just a little brown in the rim of the glass, but it had no effect on the wine. Immediately upon opening a bouquet of strawberry fruit and red cherries meet the imbiber. On the palate, while “light in appearance” it provided essentially all that was needed in a pedigree Pinot Noir – a big thinking persons wine with structure, green earthiness, balanced and silky smooth. Flavors of strawberry and light red cherries were dominant. Secondary flavors hinted of minerality. The finish was dry and crisp with mild acidity. Tannins that were noticeable, but essentially soft and kept in check. A great wine to conclude the sipping experience with a big mouthfeel and texture.
This wine just made my annual Best Wines Tasted list for 2025!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this out of the cellar to enjoy with a marinated and seared on the BBQ Pork Tenderloin. Had two choices for wines this evening a Zinfandel or Pinot Noir. Since the Pinot Noir was already 12 years old, I thought it best to go with it. The Pork Tenderloin was marinated in a dry rub for 3 hours after applying a mix of the following: brown sugar, smoked Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, sea salt, black pepper and chili powder (in moderation!). Accompanied by long and short grain brown rice with sautéed broccoli with bacon and mushrooms. The wine was perfect with the spices of the dry rub and pork.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly