2014 Pinot Noir - Sta. Rita Hills
92 Points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"The 2014 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is a superb appellation-level wine. Dark cherry, plum, dark spice, menthol and leather are fused together in a deep, intense Pinot endowed with real character an personality. The vineyard sites are Las Hermanas, Lafond and Rancho La Vina." Drinking window: 2016-2024
Matt’s Tasting Notes: Aromatics of pepper, earth, and olives with cherries / dark fruit, balanced by bright acidity. This ‘entry level’ wine stands up to the single vineyard bottlings – made in the whole-cluster driven ‘SAMsARA style’, using stellar fruit from: Melville, Lafond, and Las Hermanas vineyards.
-
Hand-harvested grapes from Las Hermanas Vineyard, Lafond & Rancho La Vina vineyards
-
30% whole cluster fermentation in small lots (2 tons)
-
Like always, we relied on the native yeast that the grapes carried from the vineyards to complete the fermentation
-
We hand punched each fermentor twice a day to enhance the extraction of colors, tannins and flavors
-
After primary fermentation was complete we extended maceration for up to 30-35 days to further extract color, tannins and flavor
-
Pressed with ultra-gentle stainless steel basket press in an 8-hour cycle
-
Aged in 20% new French oak for 12 months prior to bottling, no fining or filtering with two rackings before bottling.and then another year in bottle prior to releasing.
-
Clones 115, 777, & Pommard
| Varietal | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills |
| Acid | .62 |
| PH | 3.55 |
| Aging | 24 months |
| Fermentation | Native Yeast |
| Alcohol | 14.10% |
| Wine Style | 20% new French oak; 30% Whole Cluster : unfined & |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 850 |
92 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
90 points - Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
91 points - Wine Enthusiast
