Aged to Perfection
The price for this quality of Pinot Noir is unmatched!
Vineyard
Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW). The Sangiacomo Southern Sonoma Vineyard was first planted in 1974. The Sangiacomo family set down roots in the loamy Sonoma soil more than 80 years ago. Respecting what has worked in the past. Implementing new Viticulture practices to improve quality and preserve the environment. The Sangiacomo's are dedicated more than ever to producing Pinot Noirs of nuance and longevity.
Carneros AVA
Located at the base of the Napa Valley and Sonoma County, the two weather conditions that describe the Carneros AVA is windy and foggy. This cool appellation is situated on the northern edge of San Pablo Bay and experiences only moderate rain annually and very thin soils. Fog rolling in from the bay keeps the grapes cool in the strong summer sun—making this a prime growing area for cool-loving varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Winemaking
The fruit was sourced from a small Pommard block of Pinot Noir in the Carneros region just south of the town of Sonoma. Grapes were picked in the darkness of the early morning hours, and immediately subjected to rigorous hand sorting and refinement process. The whole berries were gently delivered to tank. Cold soaks lasted five to seven days, and fermentations were managed via a combination of delestage and pumpovers. Extended maceration ranging from three to four weeks fine-tuned tannin profiles, allowing them to perfect mouth feel and complexity. Fermentations go through malolactic fermentation for added complexity. The result is a generous mouthful of rich, complex Pinot Noir, with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. The wine was aged 15 months in 100% French oak, 60% of which was new.
Analysis
Varietal: 100% Pommard Pinot Noir
Appellation: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County (Los Carneros)
Vineyard: Sangiacomo Vineyard, Southern Sonoma
Aging: 15 Months in 100% French Oak, 60% New
pH: 3.9 TA: 5.7 g/L
Alcohol: 14.1%
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
Inky, plush, and cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
94 Points
Aromas of cocoa mingle with notes of cassis, black cherry, blackberry coulis, graphite, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cedar. The palate is harmonious as the richness of barrel spice melds seamlessly with juicy plum, blackberry and licorice flavors. An incredibly polished texture, even at a young age. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
94 Points
Golden lemon core with a silvery rim, it's full-bodied, plush on the tongue, and delivers phenomenal purity of fruit on the front and mid-palate. Notes of baked lemon pie, Bartlett pear, lemony herbs, and crushed wet rock are everpresent, with balanced acidity and a dried thyme aspect hitting the lengthy finish.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
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