Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Stanly Ranch Estate Carneros 2012 Fruity precision and fine balance are the standout achievements of this thoughtfully crafted Pinot, and, while a wine that wins a nod for its refinement, it is driven by deep fruit from beginning to end. It is all too easy to taste now and is bound to please in the near term, but it has the fruity reserve and the structure to appeal even more if allowed to rest in the cellar for another two or three years.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.