93 Points, James Suckling
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.
VINTAGE NOTES
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.
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: 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: 0.55 g/100ml
Alcohol: 14.3%
98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.
Modern, Sexy & Full
Aromas of wild blackberries and blueberries interwoven with enchanting notes of fresh mint, lavender, roasted walnut, savory spices, and a captivating hint of dark chocolate drizzled with fine balsamic. Notes of plum, blueberry and cassis with hints of wild sage, licorice, black pepper, and an elegant touch of fine-grained oak.
Plush & Velvety
Aromas of wild berries are interlaced with nuances of fresh lavender, dark chocolate truffle, baking spices, and cigar box, with generous flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry and fresh currants are layered with hints of cocoa, cassis, allspice, and wild sage.