2012 Pinot Noir Reserve- Corralitos

Santa Cruz Mountain appellation

The fruit used in this elegant Pinot Noir was sourced from a small 10 acre family vineyard located just outside the small town of Corralitos. The perfect location of this vineyard allows the fog and breezes off of the Monterey Bay to keep the grapes cool during the evenings and early afternoon before the sun burns off the fog and exposes the grapes to the warm sun of the afternoon. This extreme variation in temperature is what stresses the grapes and helps to produce such vibrant and unique wines.

With the combination of meticulous vineyard management, including cluster thinning and canopy control, the result of which is small tight clusters and tiny berries which enhance the skin to juice ratio so important in truly special Pinot Noir.

After gentle hand harvesting at daybreak, the grapes are moved to the winery for whole berry destemming and a 5 day cold soak in which time the juice begins to extract the flavors and unique characteristics of this vineyard. The juice is then put through a slow, cool fermentation which generally takes 14-21 days, during this time the young wine is pressed off of the skins and put in neutral barrels to complete fermentation.

It is at this time we decide which variety of French oak barrels we will use to finish the ageing process. This 2012 Pinot Noir went into a combination of Allier and Limousin barrels for 20 months of which 50% were new.

The result is a beautifully balanced wine with soft sweet tannins, bright acidity exhibiting characteristics of sweet dried strawberry, pomegranate, forest floor, freshly tanned leather and a hint of spice that transitions into a seamlessly long finish.

Please enjoy this with apple stuffed pork chops, king salmon or a pomegranate and butter lettuce salad.

Pinot Noir: 100% Santa Cruz Mtn. Appellation
Brix at harvest: 25.8
Ageing: French Allier and Limousin barrels (50% new) 20 months
Alcohol: 13.8%
TA: 7.3g/L
pH: 3.55

BACK TO WINES