Harvest Date
October 3, 2009
Harvest Brix
27.2
Months in Oak
Eleven
Alcohol
14.7%
pH
3.72
TA
5.2 grams/liter
Rs
Dry
Bottled October 26, 2011
434 cases
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands
Lucia Highland Vineyard is located in the northern region of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation of Monterey County and just a stone's throw across the street from our winery. Its proximity to the cool maritime influences of the Monterey Bay allows the fruit to ripen slowly, producing world-class Pinot Noir with intense, up-front berry fruit flavors, seductive texture, and silky tannins. The vineyard is trellised to a Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) system that allows maximum sun exposure to the berries during ripening.
2009 comes to a close with our assessment that yet a fifth consecutive great Vintage has been brought to "the Barn" (our 80+ year old former Swiss Italian dairy, now winery). January and early February saw unprecedented warm temperatures that caused an early budbreak. During flowering in the middle of May the thermometer again reached the upper 90 °F mark. The balance of the growing season up through harvest was, in contrast, very moderate to even slightly cool. We were now preparing for a late season with grapes not expected until late Fall. In anticipation of heavy rains from the remnants of Typhoon Melor (the worst to hit Japan in two decades), we scrambled to bring in all the fruit during the middle of October. The long hours paid off and incredible quality wines are now finishing fermentation and resting gracefully in the winery.
The Lucia Highlands Vineyard is comprised of several Dijon clones as well as other proprietary clones that are now co-fermented and barreled separately. The grapes were only lightly crushed into small fermentors, in which nearly 40% of the berries were left whole. A Burgundian yeast culture, known for bold flavors and aromas, as well as native yeast was used for fermentation. Allowed to barrel age "sur lees" and occasionally stirred for eleven months, this wine possesses stylish complexity.
This classic Pinot Noir is a true representation of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. It opens with luscious strawberry and cherry cola flavors that quickly give way to soft tannins and a vanilla cream finish. A bright, lively acidity brings balance to the earthy tones that frame this Burgundian - style Pinot Noir. Pair with assorted artisan cheeses, rack of lamb, and new york steak.
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91 Points - Editor's Choice |
Steve Pessagno, Winemaker
Price: $28
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