Tasting Notes:
This
Santa Lucia Highlands wine is elegant and refined with complex berry aromas and good tannin structure. Red plum and lavender accentuate the nose while toasty caramel is evident in the flavor, a result of new French oak aging. This wine pairs well with moderately spiced foods such as grilled fish, chicken, and pork.
Vineyard Notes:
Our Vineyard is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation of Monterey County just west of the town of Gonzales. Our Reserve Pinot consists primarily of 115 & 777 clones from the Dijon selection imported from France in the mid 1990's. Both clones are known for their contribution to the great reds of Burgundy.
Winemaking Notes:
Hand harvested fruit was delivered to the winery and about 15 percent was transferred by hand as whole clusters to the bottom of a one ton fermentor. The balance of the fruit was gently crushed on top of them and allowed to “cold soak” for upwards of four days prior to fermentation. After fermentation the wine was pressed into a combination of mostly new French oak barrels where it matured for 11 month.