2023 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir
2023 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir
New release! Elegant and complex, an excellent example of this incredible vintage.
Description
Elegant and complex, our 2023 Fiddlestix is an excellent example of this incredible vintage. The aromatics are layered with cherry fruit, violets and a flinty minerality. The palate showcases an incredible array of flavors from red plums and pomegranates to hibiscus flowers and white pepper. Tannins, acid and body are in perfect harmony here, meaning this wine tastes amazing now but will only get better with age.
Vineyard Notes
Planted near the halfway-point of the Sta. Rita Hills on the north side of Santa Rosa Road, Fiddlestix sits just across from the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. Fog usually lingers until mid-morning and the temperature rarely rises above 75, ensuring cool grapes throughout a lengthy day of sunshine. The soil is well-drained Gazos and Botella clay loam, loaded with chirt and Monterey shale, with 96 acres under vine. The blocks sourced for Ken Brown Wines are planted to the 667 and Pommard clones.
Production Notes
Sta. Rita Hills experienced an unusually cold growing season in 2023. Heavy winter rains delayed budbreak significantly, and cool summer weather led to slow ripening and a later harvest. The Pinot Noir harvest started in late September and continued well into October. The long hang time encouraged excellent flavor development, complexity and concentration. Grapes for this wine were picked between September 29th and October 3rd.
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. It was then fermented using native yeasts. The wine aged 18 months in French oak with 17% new barrels. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered on April 24th, 2025
| Vintage |
2023 |
| Wine Style |
Red Wine |
| Varietal |
100% Pinot Noir |
| Appellation |
Sta. Rita Hills |
| Acid |
6.2 g/l |
| PH |
3.62 |
| Alcohol % |
14.1 |
| Size |
750 ml |
