Winemaker Notes
The grapes were harvested on August 15 and 20th at 22.8 brix. The grapes underwent a four-day cold-soak with 1-3 punch-downs by hand daily. Once dry, the wine was pressed and put into French oak barrels (14% new) where it stayed for 14 months before being racked and bottled unfiltered in February of 2017.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Very light in appearance, this sprightly bottling offers tart yet warm aromas of wild cherry, cranberry, sweet oregano, sandalwood and wet earth. Pomegranate, strawberry, slate and cedar notes show on the palate, which showcases ripeness in a restrained fashion. Drink now–2035.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Los Alamos Vineyard offers notions of raspberries and red cherries with a gentle herbs and earth undercurrent. Light-bodied, elegant, soft and fresh, if you like you Pinots softly spoken, this one will be a hit!
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.
RVLCJPN15LA_2015 Item# 421558