Storrs Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2013
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a great wine at a price that's a bit more accessible than many similar bottlings from the region. Pepper, berries, rose buds, mace and clove combine for a suave, savory but smooth nose. It's immediately likable on the palate, where thyme, bay leaf and sage give nuance to cooked strawberries and tangy plums.
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2018-
Wine
Enthusiast
Over the next six years, they prepped the land for the organically-farmed vineyard that they planted in the summer of 2007. Their estate vineyard which they call Hidden Springs consists of two clones of Chardonnay – Clones 4 and 17; and five clones of Pinot Noir including the Dijon clones of 115, 667, 828 as well as Clone 2A and the Pommard clone. They are currently considering Bio-dynamic certification to recognize their conservation efforts on behalf of wildlife, soil and water on their farm and their flock of Olde English Babydoll sheep that graze their vineyard during the winter months to promote a more balanced, self-sustaining system.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.