Cadre The Architects Pinot Noir 2007
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The "architects" name refers to the four vineyards that constitute the blend: Laetitia, La Encantada, Firepeak and Bien Nacido. The wine’s purity is proof that a great Pinot does not have to come from a single vineyard. It’s bone dry and full-bodied in tannins, with complex flavors of black cherries, red currants, Dr. Pepper cola and exotic Asian spices. It was raised in one-year old oak, which gives smoky vanilla and caramel notes, in just the right proportion, to the fruit.
John Niven has been rooted in Edna Valley’s wine industry for over 20 years, but his story started many decades earlier. His grandfather Jack Niven trailblazed the planting of San Luis Obispo’s modern day vines in the early 1970’s and is considered the pioneer of the Edna Valley. He just happened to plant his historic Paragon Vineyard just after John was born. Little did he know that these plantings and his vision would determine the fate of the region. Decades later, this fate led John and his wife down the path to start their our own winery focusing on vibrant energetic white wines from the Edna Valley.
The Edna Valley is truly a gem on a AVA for white wine varietals and deservedly should be included in the broader conversation as one of the great white wine regions of the world. It lies just 5.5 miles from the edge of Pacific Ocean. It’s maritime influenced extreme cool climate and diverse volcanic and oceanic soils allows the incredible opportunity showcase white wines filled with vibrant energy, minerality, and a whole lot of individual character.
A Cadre is a small group that has been specifically chosen to band together and promote a greater cause. In this case, this is a Cadre of cool climate small production Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Sauvignon Blanc that is out to show the wine world the greatness of the lively, high acid, energetic and mineral driven cool climate white wines from the Edna Valley. This Cadre is not just made up of these wines, it includes John and his tireless passion for the region. No one believes in white wines from the region more than John. Our San Luis Obispo Coast has just begun to scratch the surface on exploring the endless potential of the world of white wines. There is so much to learn, and we are just getting started.
Let’s start with the obvious – Central Coast Pinot Noir is an incredibly broad category. This of course is because the Central Coast appellation is enormous, and it contains several stellar Pinot Noir regions within it, all of them kept cool by elevation or proximity to the ocean (or both). So we’ll break things down a bit with a brief look at each of these: Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey and the Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills. These are not the only Central Coast sources of good Pinot Noir, but they are the major ones. So let’s get started.
In the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, just west of Silicon Valley, producers craft excellent Pinot in spite of serious challenges. The land is mountainous, rugged and can be foggy, the topsoil is thin and poor and yields tend to be low. Yet Pinots from the likes of David Bruce, Martin Ray, Mount Eden and Thomas Fogarty exhibit undeniable quality, along with bright red fruit, minerality, earth and herbal hints.
Just south lies the large Monterey appellation. Monterey Pinot Noir is grown in coastal areas, taking optimal advantage of the cooling effect of the Pacific. The most highly regarded of these is the Santa Lucia Highlands. Situated on hilly benchlands south of the city of Monterey, this central coast region relies on a long growing season, night and morning fog and consistent afternoon winds to produce world class Pinot Noir. Attributes include intense, rich fruit, subtle earthy notes, spice and a silky texture. Look for producers like Siduri, Kosta Browne, Talbott and Lucienne.
The Santa Maria Valley in northern Santa Barbara County (a section of it falls into southern San Luis Obispo County) is also a haven for quality Pinot Noir. A mere 15 miles from the Pacific, the valley runs east-west, creating a natural tunnel through which ocean breezes and fog flow. This effect lengthens the growing season and promotes both ripeness and development of acidity, lending Santa Maria Valley Pinots their characteristic full flavor, balance and elegance. The famous Bien Nacido Vineyard is located here, and notable producers include Cambria, Foxen, Byron and Au Bon Climat.
Finally, we arrive at the Sta. Rita Hills, also in Santa Barbara County. Located in the western part of the Santa Ynez Valley, it too benefits from an east-west orientation that leads to the same conditions mentioned above. Once again the result is extended hang time for the grapes, which can be tasted in the vibrant, ripe red fruits evident in these Pinots, along with dense coloration and an impression of richness and intensity. Try wines from producers like Ken Brown, Ampelos, Fess Parker and Melville.
As you can see, California’s Central Coast offers a wealth of options for any lover of Pinot Noir. Cheers!