Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Soberanes Pinot shows spicy aromas ripe red berries and cranberry. Typical of this special vineyard, the palate is full and intense, with flavors which mirror the aromas. The silky finish is very long and well-structured indicating a long maturation curve ahead.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Chai-like aromas of clove and cardamom decorate the red currant and sandalwood scents on the nose of this bottling. Bay leaf and incense elements give nuance to the palate, where muddled red fruit and cinnamon complete the picture.
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.”
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.