By focusing solely on Pinot Noir from the most prestigious vineyard sites in California and Oregon, and by vinifying each barrel separately by lot, clone, yeast and cooper, we champion individuality of place and intensity of flavor in each wine we produce.
Production & Technical Data
Cases: 576
Released: March 2007
Winemakers' Comments
Creating a successful appellation wine is always a bit of a challenge but sometimes they just come together in a way which surprises all of us. This was the case with the 2005 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Although we tried many different blends the first blend that we put together, 50% Clos Pepe and 50% Cargasacchi, was simply the finest wine that we could create.
One of the most interesting things about this blend is that it seems to combine the best of both sites. It is all 115 Clone Pinot Noir but it seems to show the deep, rich fruit, and great concentration prevalent in our Clos Pepe bottlings and also the minerality and structure that has characterized our recent Cargasacchi wines.
Fortunately, this wine has already received some very nice press, including 90 point ratings from both the Wine Enthusiast and Wine and Spirits Magazine. We were particularly happy with the review from the Wine Enthusiast as it seems to sum up our thoughts on this wine. Here’s what they said, “Shows all the greatness of this appellation, streamlined to its basics.
The fundamentals are a crisply acidic, delicately structured wine, with a silky texture and deep flavors of cherries, cola and raspberry puree, with a deeper stream of chocolate, soy and balsamic sautéed Portobello. It’s nearly as good as many wines costing twice as much.” That is exactly what we are trying to do with our appellation wines! Enjoy!
- Adam & Dianna Lee
Rating: (87-90)
From the southerly, cool climate Santa Rita Hills region, the 2005 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills possesses lovely herbal, black cherry, and raspberry characteristics, hints of Allspice and cinnamon, and fine texture, fruit, and lushness. - Robert Parker
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