Winemaker Notes
Clean and transparent, ruby core with purple and pink hues leading out to the rim of the glass. The nose leads with lifted fruits of cranberry jam, blackberry, and boysenberry. Confected and ripe in style transitioning into secondary flavors of toasty coconut, caramel, and dark chocolate – all signs of new oak. A subtle floral note of potpourri and delicate herbs add detail to the ripe fruit and oak tones. The wine is fruit forward on the nose, but still balanced and complex. On the palate, more blue fruit of boysenberry and blueberry dominate, with supporting flavors of cranberry and black cherry. Additional flavors of coconut, caramel, and chocolate along with the floral tones compliment the fruit. The wine is ripe and forward, but still finishes balanced and dry with bright acidity and appropriate richness. The 2018 vintage was more consistent and produced wines that were classically styled, well balanced and representative of a great vintage.
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.