Winemaker Notes
Byron Kosuge, the winemaker of Miura Vineyards, believes that although the 2012's won all the accolades in the press, he feels that the 2013's are more complete. Better balance between fruit and structure than the overly ripe 2012's. This wine will show well for many years to come.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Showing excellent and balanced density, the ultra-rich 2013 Miura Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir shows why the Santa Lucia Highlands is getting quite an excellent reputation for its fine Pinots. This wine's full, black fruit flavors and luxurious palate textures pair it well with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: October 6, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
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.