Winemaker Notes
Grapes from Santa Lucia Highlands provide much of the backbone and tannic structure — showcasing dark, brooding and spicy flavors. San Benito County Pinot Noir grapes give some additional weight and complexity to the wine, exhibiting classic Burgundian forest floor and truffle undertones Pinot Noir grapes from Vina del Rey unveil lighter, more delicate flavors of strawberry and other red berry fruits. Finally, a dash of Malbec leaves the wine with generous mid-palate sweetness and juicy red berry fruit character.
After primary fermentation, Twin Fin Pinot Noir was aged in new — two year old French (80%) and American (20%) oak for 10 months. This gives the wine added complexity, while protecting the inherent fruit flavors of the blend.
This is an easy wine to enjoy — matching beautifully with everything from swordfish to a slab of baby back ribs. The bright fruit flavors and delicate tannins make Twin Fish California Pinot Noir a flexible companion for your next cookout.
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.