Martin Ray
2019 Pinot Noir
, Santa Cruz Mountains
Coast Grade Vineyard

92 Points, James Suckling

Bright, focused and wonderfully energetic.  Earthy notes of cherry bark, black raspberry, and cola nut, with touches of sweet clove and orange zest.  Fresh pomegranate juice with notes of spearmint, evergreen and a subtle hint of lemon verbena, flanked by racy acidity, refined tannins and a subtle salinity.  Its highly structured tannins sets it apart with a leaner core of focused acidity, earthiness, and a silky smooth finish.

Balanced, silky with focused acidity.
Drink now or cellar as many bottles as you can. You will be rewarded.

VINEYARDS

Located in the high stony slopes of the coastal side of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the heart of Bonny Doon. Attentively farmed by Jim Beauregard and his family, these are steep hillside vineyards that enjoy morning and evening fog from the San Francisco Bay.

VINTAGE NOTES

Starting with rain during bloom, 2019 transitioned into a steady, slow to warm spring. Temperate throughout the summer, offering only a couple intermittent heat spikes. Average yields and incredible quality with harvest beginning in early August.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Fermented separately in small open-top fermenters with gentle punch-downs. Maintained at moderate temperatures until dry, basket-pressed, and racked to 30% new, 45% once used French oak barrels for 12 months.

Vintage:  2019
Varietal Composition:  100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard:  Coast Grade Vineyard
Appellation:  Santa Cruz Mountains
Aging:  30% new, 45% once used French oak barrels for 12 months
Brix:  23.9
pH:  3.58
TA:  0.55 g/100ml
Alcohol:  13.6%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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