Martin Ray
2021 Pinot Noir
, Santa Cruz Mountains

93 Points, James Suckling

Juicy notes of black cherry, and Satsuma plum, with touches of cedar and spearmint.  Fleshy, with deep read fruit, and fragrant fresh mace, flanked by fresh acidity, round mouthfeel and earthy undertones.  Full-bodied and very structured Pinot with iron, bark, mushroom and forest flowers.  This wine sets itself apart with a leaner core of focused acidity, earthy and raw herbaceous character and silky finish.  This is one for the cellar.

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

VINEYARDS

Two distinctly unique vineyards, that benefit from high elevation and proximity to the coast. Coast Grade, on the western side, in the heart of Bonny Doon, and Black Ridge, located more inland above Lexington Reservoir, each experience drastic diurnal shifts within their respective microclimates.

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 French oak barrels for 12 months.

VINTAGE

The culmination of factors from another drought year in California surprised most with a beautiful vintage. An unseasonably dry and mild winter, which led to an early spring, forced the vines into bud break during peak frost season. A relatively warm, but even summer, resulted in early harvest dates, with lower-than-average yields.

Vintage:  2021
Varietal Composition:  100% Pinot Noir
Appellation:  Santa Cruz Mountains
Aging:  30% new French oak barrels for 12 months
Brix:  24.5
pH:  3.56
TA:  5.5 g/L
Alcohol:  14.3%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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