2018 Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir
2018 Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast Concentrated, bold and well-structured for long-term aging.
Description
Showing Radian’s characteristic concentration, this Pinot Noir has exceptional color and structure. The wine offers pure fruit aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and plum with accents of black licorice and earth. Bold flavors of cranberry and blackberry intertwine with hints of cocoa and white pepper. The firm tannins and balanced acidity encourage several years in the cellar for optimum development.
Vineyard Notes
100% Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir. One of the appellation’s most picturesque and coldest vineyards, this estate is located in the southwest corner of Sta. Rita Hills, unsheltered from direct exposure to cold winds and marine fog from the Pacific Ocean. Planted in 2007, Radian’s soils are Botella clay heavenly laden with shale rock. The austere soils combined with persistent coastal winds result in small clusters and tiny berries, leading to deep, concentrated wines. Pinot Noir clones used in this wine include 667 from Block 41 (76%) and 115 from Block 40 (24%).
Production Notes
The 2018 vintage was our latest harvest since 2012. Late rains in March were well-timed and budbreak occurred about two weeks later than recent averages. Temperatures throughout the spring and summer remained cool. Nighttime temperatures were consistently chilly as well, in the low to mid-50s, ideal for retaining the natural acidity in the grapes. Canopies were healthy and well positioned to go the distance to ripen the fruit. The berries were small, and yields were customarily low, resulting in excellent concentration and intensity in the fruit. Radian Pinot Noir was harvested on October 6th and 18th at an average Brix of 24.6 degrees.
Winemaker Notes
Pinot Noir clusters for this wine were hand sorted before being de-stemmed and gravity fed to fermenters. The must was immediately chilled for a pre-fermentation cold soak where the most beneficial extraction of color, aroma and flavor occurs. The wine aged 21 months in French oak barrels, longer than our other Pinot Noirs, allowing the extraordinary layers of complexity to be expressed. The barrel composition included 44% new French oak. The wine was racked once and bottled unfined and unfiltered on August 11, 2020.
| Vintage |
2018 |
| Wine Style |
Red Wine |
| Varietal |
100% Pinot Noir |
| Appellation |
Sta. Rita Hills |
| Acid |
6.2 g/l |
| PH |
3.45 |
| Alcohol % |
14.3 |
| Size |
750 ml |
