Sonnet Muns Pinot Noir 2013 Front Label
Sonnet Muns Pinot Noir 2013 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

"I have always stated that I do not make Burgundy style pinot noir in California, only Burgundy can do Burgundy. Having said that, there are attributes from Burgundy that I look for in a vineyard that can give me some of those characteristics within the California style that I unappolagetically make: Acidity, elegance, finesse of texture, minerality and important of all, that traditional fruit expression of black cherries. The Muns Vineyard gives me all of these things and allows me to make a "classically styled" pinot. The truly tight grained Hungarian oak allows me to age the wine for longer than is usual for California pinot and allows the true black cherry flavours to emerge fully while integrating nicely with the oak spice of nutmeg and vanilla. While this wine can be drank now for it's youthfull vigour and fruity expression, it is worthy of long term aging and will reward those who are patient enough to allow it to mature."
Winemaker- Anthony Craig"

Professional Ratings

  • 92
    Fresh, dark strawberry aromas mix with allspice, cinnamon strudel and cehrry blossom scents on this wine from renowned Los Gatos vineyard. The palate is more restrained, quite tight and wound up at first, with cranberry and iron flavors that open to darker red fruits with lots of oregano and garden spices. Drink 2018-2025. Cellar Selection
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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.”

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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.

MBWPN13MA_2013 Item# 147809