92 Points - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2015
Gold Medal - 2015 Pinot Noir Shootout
Vineyard Notes
Found at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains, up against the 50-foot palisade that defines the “Riverbed” terrain from the benchland, this 60-acre vineyard features meager surface soil over dense hard-pan subsoil. The vines on this windy property are naturally low-yielding and consist of multiple varietials, including seven clones of Pinot Noir.
Winemaking Notes
The Pinot Noir was hand-harvested on October 10, 2012. At the winery, the fruit was gently crushed and de-stemmed with the must racked to macro-bins. Cold-soaked for two days, the juice was inoculated with RC212 (Burgundy yeast isolate) and spent 2 weeks extracting color and flavors from the skins. The wine was pressed shortly after dryness and racked to French oak barrels. Aged for eleven months, the resulting wine was bottled on September 26, 2013.
Tasting Notes
This wine epitomizes the elegance and broad character profile of Pinot Noir from the Arroyo Seco AVA’s riverbed channel. Loaded with red-tone fruit characters, the bouquet fills with cranberry, cherry, raspberry cream and dusty plum. In its recesses, aromas of pomegranate, sandalwood, baking spice, rose petal and earthy notes abound. On the palate, the flavors carry through with balance achieved between the vibrant acidity, and fleshy yet firm tannins.
Vineyards: Cedar Lane Vineyard
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: 50% - Pommard Clone 4, 50% -“Dijon” Clone 667
Harvest: October 10, 2012
Aging: French Oak, 14% New Dargaud Jaegle, Mercurey & Taransaud
Bottled: September 26, 2013
Acidity: 0.61
pH: 3.89
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 156 cases
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.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
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.
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