Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir 2006

  • 90 Wine &
    Spirits
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Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir 2006 Front Label
Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir 2006 Front Label

Product Details


Varietal

Region

Producer

Vintage
2006

Size
750ML

ABV
14.3%

Your Rating

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Somm Note

Winemaker Notes

The lots of Pinot Noir from Gaia, Garey, and Sierra Madre Vineyards were fermented in 1.5 ton fermentation boxes and small open top tanks. The must was punched down two to three times per day during primary fermentation. Each lot spent at least 10 days on skins to maximize extraction and achieve softer tannins. After pressing, each lot was then racked once from tank into 100% French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and 10 months of aging. Only the finest barrels were selected to produce an extremely limited bottling that expresses the seemingly infinite nuances of Pinot Noir at its best.

The 2006 Unbridled Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County shows aromas of cherry, cinnamon, and garden herbs with rich flavors of strawberry and seasoned French oak. The mouthfeel is full and bright from beginning to end. Pair this Pinot Noir with wild mushroom risotto or mandarin duck.

Professional Ratings

  • 90
    Dense crimson hue. Inviting scents of plum, cola and sandalwood. Juicy flavors of wild cherry, red raspberry and cassis. Silky tannins and layers of vanilla cherry and cola on the close.

Other Vintages

2007
  • 93 Wine &
    Spirits
  • 91 Wine
    Enthusiast
Wild Horse

Wild Horse

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Wild Horse, California
Wild Horse Winery Video
Located south of Paso Robles in Templeton, California, Wild Horse Winery was founded in 1983 by Ken Volk. Wild Horse Winery was named for the wild mustangs that roamed the hills east of the vineyard estate. These mavericks suggest a free, noble spirit and are the ideal symbol for the Wild Horse Winery commitment to spirited winemaking. The vineyard and winery location was selected for its low vigor soils, proven ground water table, proximity to Estero Bay and rural atmosphere. Wild Horse Winery creates compelling wines from 16 diverse appellations and more than 40 vineyards from the Central Coast. Wild Horse Winery is committed to sustainable viticultural and business practices and creating fine wines that express the best of the region’s diversity. "Live Naturally, Enjoy Wildly" reflects the attitude and personalities of the people who have been creating these wines for over 25 years.
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Let’s start with the obvious – Central Coast Pinot Noir is an incredibly broad category. This of course is because the Central Coast appellation is enormous, and it contains several stellar Pinot Noir regions within it, all of them kept cool by elevation or proximity to the ocean (or both). So we’ll break things down a bit with a brief look at each of these: Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey and the Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills. These are not the only Central Coast sources of good Pinot Noir, but they are the major ones. So let’s get started.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, just west of Silicon Valley, producers craft excellent Pinot in spite of serious challenges. The land is mountainous, rugged and can be foggy, the topsoil is thin and poor and yields tend to be low. Yet Pinots from the likes of David Bruce, Martin Ray, Mount Eden and Thomas Fogarty exhibit undeniable quality, along with bright red fruit, minerality, earth and herbal hints.

Just south lies the large Monterey appellation. Monterey Pinot Noir is grown in coastal areas, taking optimal advantage of the cooling effect of the Pacific. The most highly regarded of these is the Santa Lucia Highlands. Situated on hilly benchlands south of the city of Monterey, this central coast region relies on a long growing season, night and morning fog and consistent afternoon winds to produce world class Pinot Noir. Attributes include intense, rich fruit, subtle earthy notes, spice and a silky texture. Look for producers like Siduri, Kosta Browne, Talbott and Lucienne.

The Santa Maria Valley in northern Santa Barbara County (a section of it falls into southern San Luis Obispo County) is also a haven for quality Pinot Noir. A mere 15 miles from the Pacific, the valley runs east-west, creating a natural tunnel through which ocean breezes and fog flow. This effect lengthens the growing season and promotes both ripeness and development of acidity, lending Santa Maria Valley Pinots their characteristic full flavor, balance and elegance. The famous Bien Nacido Vineyard is located here, and notable producers include Cambria, Foxen, Byron and Au Bon Climat.

Finally, we arrive at the Sta. Rita Hills, also in Santa Barbara County. Located in the western part of the Santa Ynez Valley, it too benefits from an east-west orientation that leads to the same conditions mentioned above. Once again the result is extended hang time for the grapes, which can be tasted in the vibrant, ripe red fruits evident in these Pinots, along with dense coloration and an impression of richness and intensity. Try wines from producers like Ken Brown, Ampelos, Fess Parker and Melville.

As you can see, California’s Central Coast offers a wealth of options for any lover of Pinot Noir. Cheers!

PIN222271_2006 Item# 100323

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