Winemaker Notes
After a warm August, the fruit was harvested in early September and put to barrel. The '09 Los Alamos historical vineyard Pinot Noir blends together three different lots of Pinot that received 20 months barrel age in French oak. The Pinots from this region have a deep, meaty character. Cola and boysenberry aromas are evident and joined by mouth-filling flavors of cherry, plum and bitter chocolate on the palate.
Pinot Noir is the second-most planted grape in Santa Barbara County, just behind Chardonnay. It thrives in cooler areas of the region, namely in the of the Sta. Rita Hills, which is part of Santa Barbara’s larger Santa Ynez Valley sub-appellation. Thought for decades to be too cool for viticulture, Sta. Rita Hills began to gain notoriety in the 1970’s, thanks to the pioneering work of Richard Sandford and Michael Benedict, among others.
Santa Barbara Pinot Noir dances across the palate with vivid red fruit and spice. Precision, bright acidity, elegance and fruit-driven silkiness make Santa Barbara Pinot delightfully enjoyable, whether on their own or with a variety of dishes.
WWH132059_2009 Item# 145385