Well rounded, integrated tannins and texturally appealing with a soft and sleek mouthfeel. Sourced from a meticulous and sustainably farmed Sangiacomo Vineyard in Carneros. Wonderfully balanced. Enjoy now, or age gracefully for another 5+ years.
Vintage
Though this vintage was a warmer year, the grapes were picked at perfection and fortunate to miss the wildfires of 2017. Aged in barrel just a bit longer than previous vintages to round out flavors. This vintage is a wonderful example of finesse and style.
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.
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.
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%
All Wines
94 Points, Vinous
Racy, exuberant and flat-out delicious. Seared black cherries, red and purple flowers, sage and vanilla make for a very compelling nose on this bottling of a single clone. The palate is fresh with snappy raspberry flavors and then broadens toward baking-spice flavors, proving quite lush and delicious. This is an especially alluring style.
93 Points, Vinous
A great example of where Cabernet's structure and depth are balanced by Syrah's jammy fruit-forward flavors. Savory aromas of dark berries, cassis, baking spices and vanilla that intermingle with earthy notes of dried tobacco, cigar box and saddle leather. Notes of dark fruit flavors carry on to the palate, with dark chocolate, vanilla and a hint of black currant.
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Aromas bright orchard fruit, lemon confit and white flowers. The palate is crisp, fresh, ripe and savory all at once... a nice interplay of honeyed citrus fruits in the mouth, with a light to medium weight, juicy acidity presenting flavors of Asian pear, nectarine and Rainier cherry with a smooth textured finish of new French oak.
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