92 Points, Gold Medal - Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Arroyo Seco, a sub-region within Monterrey County defined by the distinct soils left by an ancient river that once flowed through the area, is probably best known—to those who know it at all—for its chardonnay. But thanks to a small but dedicated group of producers, this cool, wind-swept region is gaining a reputation for Pinot Noir.
Vineyard Notes
A blend of three beautiful vineyards, this wine is representative of the Arroyo Seco AVA. Each property is located on the dry river bottom and features an extremely rocky, shallow surface soil (topsoil at each site is classified as Arroyo Seco Gravelly Sandy Loam). Hard pan beneath limits the vines’ ability to tap deeply for water, limiting yields and allowing more intense flavors. Racked by wind, the Zabala vineyard is the eldest and lies just north of the seasonal tributary. With relatively newer plantings the Griva Vineyard rests on a bench south of the river, in the heart of the AVA, while Cedar Lane Vineyard sits to the west in an alcove somewhat protected from wind.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested on separate dates over a three week span, the fruit was gently de-stemmed, with the resulting must racked to open-top bins. Following a two-day cold soak, the must was inoculated with RC212 (Burgundy yeast isolate) and the ensuing fermentation lasted 16 days. During this period each bin was punch-down by hand three times per day. Once pressed the wine was transferred to French oak barrels (Allier & Vosges origins). In total the various lots spent about ten months in barrel before being blended and bottled in August 2010.
Tasting Notes
The 2009 Mercy Vineyards Arroyo Seco Pinot Noir is light garnet in color, which makes the nose such a surprise. Loaded with aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, cherry, black pepper, and violets the nose suggests a monster of a Pinot Noir, but this is another trick. The palate is equally intense, but much lighter, with cranberry, cherry, rose, and lavender. The flavors are incredibly layered, with good acidity and spice carrying through on the finish.
Vineyards: Zabala Vyd (48%) Cedar Lane Vyd (40%) Griva Vyd (12%)
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: Pommard (4), Martini (13), 115, 667, 777 & La Tache
Harvest: Sept 11, 23 & 25 and Oct 1 & 6, 2009
Aging: French Oak, 20% New Dargaud Jaegle & F. Freres
Bottled: August 25, 2010
Acidity: 0.64
pH: 3.67
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 1064 cases
You may also like:
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.
92 Points
Deep garnet core with aromas of crème de cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice mingle and swirl on the nose. The palate is equally gorgeous with extremely rich cookie, walnut, plum and cassis with a long smooth creamy vanilla finish. This one is aged to perfection and ready to show off.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice. A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Juice explodes out right of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor. The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and keeps you running back for more. Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa. It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
Gold Medal
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.
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
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
92 Points
Rich, bold & spicy. Deep garnet colored in the glass. The nose gives loads of blackberry, plum, fresh raspberry and peppery aromas, while the palate delivers juicy berry compote, cassis, caramel and black pepper flavors before a rich, tannic finish. Four to five years in the cellar will round this out nicely.
Gold Medal
Aromas of white peach, melon, and orange blossom complemented by bright citrus and lemon zest. Notes of kiwi, pineapple, lemon, mango and papaya introduce a rich palate and a persistent mineral finish.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
PDF