* 2006 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills

Order Now! Quantity:

Winemaking Notes
This Pinot Noir sources grapes from three of Santa Rita Hill’s most prestigious vineyards. Rio Vista Vineyard is located at the eastern end of the appellation where slightly warmer temperatures result in a rich texture, smooth tannins and dark cherry flavors in the wine. Situated further west in the Santa Rita Hills appellation, Sanford & Benedict and Clos Pepe Vineyards enjoy somewhat cooler temperatures, which promotes structure, complexity and black fruit components in the wine.

At the winery, clusters were destemmed, then immediately chilled for a pre-fermentation cold soak where the most beneficial extraction of color, aroma and flavor occurs. During fermentation, extraction was enhanced by gently punching down the cap twice a day. The wine aged 15 months in French oak barrels, including 35% new French oak.

Tasting Notes
This Pinot Noir is fragrant and pleasingly accessible, featuring fresh aromas of wild berries and a gentle spice note imparted by new French oak. The fresh fruit aromas carry through to the flavors, which include hints of wild raspberry and cherry. The texture is especially rich and smooth—the influence from Rio Vista’s Pinot Noir—and glides to a silky finish with a refreshing touch of natural acidity.