2015 Pinot Noir - Kessler-Haak Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
100% Pommard clone. The 2015’s have great density and concentration. Dark, textured, polished, with a saturating mouthfeel. Black cherries, figs and dates up front, richness and red fruit on palate and finish. Complex and interesting. - Lily Hays, Direct to Consumer Business Manager
Tasting notes
100% Pommard clone. The 2015’s have great density and concentration. Dark, textured, polished, with a saturating mouthfeel. Black cherries, figs and dates up front, richness and red fruit on palate and finish. Complex and interesting.
Production notes
Grapes were hand-harvested from Kessler Haak Vineyard. 40% 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 33% new french oak 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 | Pinot Noir |
Varietal Composition | 100% Pommard Clone |
Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills |
Vineyard | Kessler Haak |
Acid | 0.60 |
PH | 3.66 |
Aging | 20 months |
Fermentation | native yeast |
Alcohol | 14.50% |
Wine Style | 40% whole cluster |
Volume | 750 ml |
Cases Produced | 70 |
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Spiced cherries, dried earth, sous bois, and rose petal notes all emerge from the 2015 Pinot Noir Kessler-Haak Vineyard. This lighter ruby-colored effort has rocking complexity, medium body, and a silky, elegant, beautifully balanced profile on the palate. A wine that spent 22 months in 25% new French oak, it's the finest Pinot Noir I've tasted from SAMsARA - Jeb Dunnuck
94 Points - The Wine Enthusiast
Concentrated aromas of dried cherry and red currant meet with a rocky minerality and a wild sagebrush herbal quality on the nose of this bottling. The palate is more impressive, with roasted cherry tomatoes, blistered plums and strawberries, grilled fennel, thyme and tarragon flavors making a magical combo.- Matt Kettmann, The Wine Enthusiast
93 Points - The Wine Advocate