Winemaker Notes
Once again, the Mount Eden clone is the rock star of the four clones of Pinot Noir grown at Regan Vineyards. This clone produces a wine that is fruit forward and vibrant, with a delectable richness on the palate. The Mount Eden Clone Pinot Noir is introduced with its deep garnet color. Aromas of jammy fruit, seasoned oak, earth and baking spice mingle pleasantly. On the palate, ripe fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry and boysenberry are complimented by the toasty, sweet vanilla notes from the French oak barrels in which this wine was aged. This Pinot Noir is full bodied with a notable weight on the palate. The tannins are elegant and smooth, giving it a wonderfully plush mouthfeel.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Muddled black-plum, loamy soil, dried hibiscus and dark mint aromas make for an intense but expertly measured nose for this clonal selection. The palate's texture is polished and feathery, offering broad flavors of black raspberry, light sage oil, rose petal and violet, proving very floral and plush.
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.