Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Leese-Fitch Pinot Noir is a deep ruby color in the glass and showcases bright aromatics of cherry preserves, fresh strawberry, sweet vanilla, and dried herb notes. The juicy palate hosts flavor of sweet red raspberry, fresh plum, cranberries, and toasted caramel notes. Additional notes of dried cherry and pomegranate add complexity to the flavor profile. The wine is silky with smooth tannins, good acidity
and a long, flavorful finish.
Professional Ratings
-
Tasting Panel
A creative blend of 10% Barbera, 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Merlot, and 2% Tempranillo was added to this Pinot Noir, with most of the fruit sourced from the Lodi and Clarksburg AVAs; it aged for ten months in (30% new) French, Hungarian, and American oak. Cinnamonspiced cherry comes through on the nose and palate. An earthy core reveals notes of bright cranberry and a hint of sage as toasted oak, toffee, and pomegranate lend an edge. The perky, peppered finish rides on smooth tannins.
Internationally recognized for gorgeous, pure fruit combined with great elegance, California Pinot noir thrives among the state’s cooler, coastal zones. Characterized by eclectic flavors and aromas of strawberry, black cherry, plum and potpourri with notes of forest floor, mushroom or black tea, the best California Pinot noir boast a supple texture and good acidity, giving them the ability to improve with age.
Credited with the beginning of Pinot noir’s glory in California, two growers, Joe Rochioli and Joseph Swan in the late 1960s independently planted Pinot noir vineyards in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Today Sonoma County remains the leading producer of Pinot noir in the state, and Pinot noir is the leading red grape in the county, achieving its highest potential, in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Other coastal appellations where Pinot noir flourishes include Carneros, Anderson Valley and most of the Central Coast.