2015 Pinot Noir - Turner Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
Production notes
Grapes were hand-harvested from Turner Vineyard in the northern part of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. The botella clay soil provides a rich, structured wine. 75% 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. We pressed with ultra-gentle stainless steel basket press in an 8-hour cycle. Aged in 25% for 22 months prior to bottling, no fining or filtering with two rackings before bottling.and then another year in bottle prior to releasing.
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Varietal | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Varietal Composition | Clone 777, & Pommard |
| Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills |
| Vineyard | Turner Vineyard |
| Acid | 0.58 |
| PH | 3.58 |
| Aging | 22 months/25% new French oak |
| Fermentation | Native Yeast |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Wine Style | 75% whole cluster |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 102 |
92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
From a cool-climate site in the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2015 Pinot Noir Turner Vineyard has classic notes of dried cherries, dried herbs, and plenty of loamy soil/earthy notes. It's medium-bodied, elegant, and lightly textured on the palate, with a charming, balanced profile. It too should keep for 8-10 years.
93 Points - The Wine Advocate
The 2015 Pinot Noir Turner Vineyard has a pale to medium ruby color and nose of peppered meats, blueberries, warm blackberries, bergamot, moss-covered bark, dried rose petals, crushed strawberries and warm raspberries with tobacco hints. Light to medium-bodied, it opens saline and soft, fleshing out to those savory flavors, with lightly chewy tannins and mouthwatering freshness, circling back to finish on a long, intense saline note. How pretty!
93 Points - The Wine Enthusiast
Tart cranberry and earthy herbs of bay leaf meet with a hint of lush black plum on the nose of this bottling. Sagebrush flavors show on the palate against a pomegranate backdrop, offering a fresh and herby style.
