Winemaker Notes
Pinot from this vineyard is known for its vibrant, floral aroma and delicate color that belies a vivid structure on the palate. Hi-toned red fruit lays under aromas of rose petal and subtle redwood bark/forest spice. The 2018 vintage was an incredibly long, mild growing season that led to very even ripening and a rich, fruit-driven character, with a depth and focus that we’ve not been able to achieve in the past. With complete physiological ripeness at low sugars, this is a vintage to remember.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Pinot Noir Split Rail Vineyard comes from vines more than 30 years old that were planted at 1,700 feet and the wine was aged ten months in 20% new French oak. It has a pale to medium ruby color, but wow! The nose explodes with crushed strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and red cherry candy with touches of rose petal, lilac, cracked pepper, dried cranberries and amaro with a dusty current. The palate is medium-bodied, über silky and slowly unfurls to floral and earth-tinged fruit layers, with a frame of very finely grained tannins and seamlessly woven freshness, finishing long, juicy and full of energy.
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The Somm Journal
Complex berry nose, silky texture, and racy style, with fresh cherry and lovely floral and earth notes; a pure and complete wine
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.”
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.