Winemaker Notes
Alfaro Trout Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir is ruby in color with floral aromas and flavors of cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. It has a silky texture with mild tannins and bright acidity. A most versatile wine, it pairs well with salmon, chicken, game birds, most meats, and mushroom dishes.
Established in 1980, this 16-acre dry-farmed vineyard is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains near the coastal town of Aptos. Twelve acres are planted to the Wente clone of Chardonnay and four acres are planted to the Mt. Eden, Pommard and Martini clones of Pinot Noir. Its proximity to the sea (less than 4 miles inland) assures the grapes receive the cooling influence of the Monterey Bay, which is so desirable when crafting this premium wine.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery Trout Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir plays on the red fruit side of this grape variety. TASTING NOTES: This wine is perky and redolent of red fruits. Its zesty aromas and flavors should pair well with grilled wild salmon fillets. (Tasted: August 19, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Pinot Noir Trout Gulch Vineyard aged 10 months in 27% new French oak. The nose opens to Bing cherries, smoked cranberries, underbrush, flint, dried herbs and earth with bitters notes. It's light to medium-bodied with a bright, fresh profile, gently chalky frame and long, juicy finish.
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.