** Sold Out!! Next vintage release date November 1, 2017. **
The nose is filled with strawberries, cherries and jammy cranberry notes; there is a hint of eucalyptus and tea as well. The flavors are strawberry-cherry and raspberry tea, with hints of white pepper, baking chocolate and warm vanilla on the finish.
91 points, Tasting Panel Magazine
With its ripe yet reserved cherry / berry component and amazing nose and palate full of spice box and vanillin-oak, this wine begs to be paired with ripe cheeses, pancetta-wrapped salmon, duck confit, or almost any variety of meats off the grill. Delicious now, the ’14 S.V. “Estate” Pinot Noir has the balance and tannins to pay handsome dividends if carerfully cellared for two or three years.
It was another drought year throughout the Central Coast. Yields for 2014 were light; but the Pinot Noir we picked at the home ranch on September 11, 19, 20, and 23 off various blocks was of very good quality, with near perfect flavors and acids. After a cold soak, fermentation began using yeast RC212 in small, open top bins. Manual punchdowns of the cap occurred twice daily prior to the wine being pressed and “barreled down” for eleven months aging in small French oak cooperage, thirty-three percent of which was new wood. The wine was bottled the last day of August 2015.
Alcohol: 13.5
Cooperage: French oak 38% new, 11 months
Production: 421
