The 2018 Ernest Vineyards Cleary Ranch The Settler Pinot Noir is a refined red wine hailing from Sonoma, California. Known for its balanced and nuanced profile, this Pinot Noir is produced by Ernest Vineyards and closed with a traditional cork. The wine contains an alcohol content of 12.7%.

The 2018 vintage has garnered positive reviews from notable wine critics. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this Pinot Noir a commendable score of 91. The review, published on September 24, 2020, notes that the wine has "a pale ruby-purple color and classic scents of tea leaves, earth, underbrush, and laurel with a red berry core." The description emphasizes the wine's "good balance of fruit and earth," highlighting its light-bodied nature with a "grainy, fresh frame and delicate finish." The wine's aging process in 38% new French oak and limited production of 550 cases are also pointed out.

Similarly, Vinous, another respected publication, also rated the 2018 Ernest Vineyards Cleary Ranch The Settler Pinot Noir with a score of 91. Antonio Galloni, the reviewer, described the wine on April 1, 2020, as having notes of "crushed sweet red cherry, mint, tobacco, and cedar." Galloni appreciated the wine's "gracious, lifted personality" and its "floral and savory overtones." He remarked that the wine is "a very pretty, nuanced Pinot that could very well blossom even further in bottle," suggesting its potential for aging. Galloni also noted that "the stem character is quite marked," indicating a distinctive aspect of this wine.

Overall, the 2018 Ernest Vineyards Cleary Ranch The Settler Pinot Noir is recognized for its elegance and complexity, with both reviewers highlighting its balanced and nuanced character. This wine is a solid choice for those who appreciate a light-bodied yet flavorful Pinot Noir.