Winemaker Notes
This Pinot Noir has a captivating nose of violets and red fruits, followed by layers of blackberries, dark plum and spices (think cloves and nutmeg) with an underlying minerality. Its bright acidity lifts the dark flavor notes and adds energy and interest.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir Boekenoogen Vineyard was vinified with 20% whole clusters and matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak. Medium garnet in color, it features aromas of red cherries, forest floor, woodsmoke, earth and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is silky and seamless with earthy fruits and a long, pleasantly broody finish.
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.”
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.