Winemaker Notes
Crafted from the tightly-clustered and thick-skinned Pisoni clone, it is intrinsically broad with opulence. On the palate, it delivers decadent raspberry, blackberry, baking spices and alluring dark chocolate notes, offset with light tannins —an attention-catching wine.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard has pure aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, blood orange, licorice and lilac, plus fine, earthy accents unfurling as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is silky and fresh, with intense, spicy dark fruits and great length.
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.