Our “home grown” S.V. Estate Pinot Noir is a true labor of love. The vines are mere steps from the winery and tasting room. Having complete, direct “dirt to bottle” quality control insures this limited release is a special one. Our location in the the cool climate “Mt. Madonna” district of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains provides superior growing conditions for top-flight Pinot Noir.
Tim’s tasting notes: “Aromas and flavors of heavy red berry and cherry; notes of forest floor and raspberry-tea leaf, alongside cocoa powder and espresso beans, with mushroom and white pepper on the finish. Pair with savory udon noodles in dashi broth topped with bacon."
The long drought in California had ended the previous year. The vines were still in recovery mode; we were kept busy trimming back excessive growth after years of very little rain. The Pinot Noir we picked at the home ranch in early September 2017 was of very good quality, with near perfect flavors.
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, twenty-five percent of which was new wood. The wine was bottled in August 2018. Only 503 cases were produced.
Appellation: Santa Clara Valley
Vineyard: Sarah's Estate
Grower: Tim Slater
Harvest Date: September 2017
Alcohol: 14.2
Cooperage: French oak, 25% new, 11 months
Bottling Date: August 2018
Production: 503
