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%
94 Points
Lovely aromas of crushed blueberry, red and blue plum, dried violet flower. It's juicy and engaging, with mulled raspberry coursing through and offers balance and depth with perfect levels of acidity with silky tannins leading to a long engaging finish.
92 Points
Aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb to delight your senses. The flavors are just as complex with hints of Madagascar vanilla followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a touch of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish.
Crisp & Refreshing
Aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of fresh herb and pomegranate. Though packed with fruit, this Rosé finishes dry, with a nice balanced finish.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
95 Points
Opens with wild cherry cordial and fresh pomegranate layered with notes of baking spice and zest. Subtle touches of pink peppercorn lemon balm and sarsparilla carry through a savory palate. It's balanced, with silky layers and a juicy red core.
94 Points
Kirsch, ripe plum and bramble with an undercurrent of star anise and toffee. Earthy, with wild blueberry and classic dusty character, balanced by fine tannins and fresh acidity.
93 Points
Rich black fruit, blueberries, blackberry bon bons, cassis, fragrant violets, tobacco leaf, and baking spices. Long, plush tannins alongside dense fruit character. The palate delivers baked berry crisp, black and red fruits, toasted walnuts, brioche and cedar on the finish.
93 Points
Depth, balance and big flavors. The nose evokes black cherry pie, licorice, plums, vanilla, and notes of chocolate. On the palate, it bursts with cassis, red currants, toasted walnuts, and chocolate. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.