At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Region
- California, United States
- Origin
- A region in Sonoma County
- Main grape
- Pinot Noir
- Range
- Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Black, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
- Signature wine
- Cellar Select Pinot Noir
- Defining feature
- Cool, dry climate selection and California vineyard sourcing
The Producer
Mark West began with Pinot Noir, pairing a focus on the grape with a stated aim of exceptional quality at an affordable price. The name refers to a region in Sonoma County, where the winery began and the interest in Pinot Noir took hold.
The winery history reaches back to 1978. Derek Benham launched the Mark West brand in 2001. Mark West is now in the E. & J. Gallo Winery portfolio.
Place
Pinot Noir can be thrown off by slight temperature changes, so Mark West looks for cool, dry climates when choosing vineyards. Its name points to a Sonoma County region, where the winery and passion for Pinot Noir began.
Cellar Select Pinot Noir draws grapes from selected vineyards throughout California. These vineyards offer conditions for fruit to thrive and concentrated flavor development.
Story
On January 5, 2021, E. & J. Gallo Winery completed its acquisition of more than 30 wine brands from Constellation Brands. Mark West joined the Gallo portfolio in that transfer, placing the brand alongside Gallo's other wine names.
Vineyards And Cellar
The 2023 Pinot Noir Black begins with fruit harvested during the coolest hours of the morning. The fruit is destemmed and cold soaked, a sequence that removes stems and lets the skins release color and aroma before fermentation.
All lots complete malolactic fermentation, then age for an average of six to eight months on 100% French oak. Malolactic fermentation softens acidity, while French oak can add toast, vanilla and a rounder texture. Some lots include a small amount of Teroldego to intensify color and flavor.
Wines
Mark West's range has two Pinot Noir expressions, the standard Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir Black. The standard bottling is presented as bright and smooth, while Pinot Noir Black is presented as dark, plush and rich. Cabernet Sauvignon adds another red wine, and Chardonnay adds a white. Pinot Noir remains the named grape at the center of the range, with the other two varieties widening the selection.
In The Glass
Pinot Noir Black is full bodied and dark red, with black cherry compote, mocha and caramel giving it a rich mouthfeel. The finish is long, with toasted vanilla. Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied as well, carrying blackberry and toasted oak to a vanilla finish.
Chardonnay opens with apple blossom, juicy green apple and ripe pear, while toasted oak gives the wine a creamy finish.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose the 2024 Cellar Select Pinot Noir. It is medium bodied, with black cherry, mocha, vanilla and caramel, and its fruit comes from selected vineyards throughout California. This is the standard Pinot Noir bottling, keeping the first pour with Mark West's central grape and California vineyard sourcing.
Anecdote
Derek Benham launched the Mark West brand with a goal of making great quality, affordable Pinot Noir available to a broad audience. He created Mark West Pinot Noir for that purpose and originally dubbed it “Pinot for the People.”
Final Word
Mark West is a Pinot Noir brand named for a Sonoma County region, with Cellar Select fruit from selected California vineyards and Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in the range.
Sources
1. https://www.markwestwines.com/about.html 2. https://www.gallo.com/portfolio/mark-west 3. https://www.gallo.com/press/2021-01-05-ej-gallo-winery-completes-acquisition 4. https://www.markwestwines.com/pinot-noir.html 5. https://www.markwestwines.com/pinot-noir-black.html 6. https://www.markwestwines.com/our-wines.html 7. https://www.markwestwines.com/cabernet-sauvignon.html 8. https://www.markwestwines.com/chardonnay.html