GOLD - 93-POINTS!

JUNE 2021 CRITICS CHALLENGE RESULTS

Bold black cherry gets the zesty treatment thanks to lively acidity that gives the finish real pop A Gold Award winner at the 2021 Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition.
93-POINTS Jul 6, 2021

Sourced from wind-whipped, 2000+-foot elevation vineyards high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this estate, reserve-designate Pinot Noir normally retails well north of $50/bottle. A pioneer not just in the region but of the varietal in general, this state-of-the-art winery produces world-class Pinot Noirs balancing forward yet energetic fruit with outstanding complexity.

Elegant and layered, with black cherry, rhubarb, dark redwood earth, cinnamon and ginger, with a hint of vanilla from the lightly toasted French oak. Lovely array of baking spice and cola on the palate, framed in earthy freshness and energetic red fruit structure that offers length and power. A true classic built by the master. Will age beautifully for 10+ years.

Check-in tasting 6.23.21 - This absolutely classic Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot has come around beautifully. Ethereal, mouthwatering and magnificent with its muscular dijon clones just starting to unwind. Elegance, flesh, spice and depth - lifted aromatics of rose petals and dried orange peels, dried strawberry and red hard candy contrast with savory depths of Asian spice and redwood forest (redwood duff, bay leaves). Seasoned French oak lends smoked paprika and toasted vanilla. Lighter red fruit spectrum is complexed with cola and chalky tannins and pretty minerality in a potent structure. So much here.

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Bottled July 15th, 2020
20% new French Oak
14.5% alc.
450 cases produced