Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2021
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America / Sta. Rita Hills
The fruit for this Pinot Noir is sourced from two estate vineyards in cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The grapes are harvested based on the ripeness of the tannins, which for Pinot Noir usually occurs between 24.5-27.0 Brix. The fruit is hand picked and hand sorted in the vineyard during the cool morning hours to preserve the aromatics. The clusters are gently de-stemmed with no crushing, and the must is cold soaked in open-top fermenters before inoculation. Each tank is manually punched down daily throughout maceration. Individual lots are vinified and barrel aged separately, spending approximately 18 months in French oak before blending and bottling, with additional time resting in the cellar before release.
Harvest Note
The 2021 was notably a cooler growing season with a late start to harvest. Early bud break and mild spring weather continued into a cool summer. The quality of the grapes were good and acid levels remained balanced due to the moderate weather. Tremendous team effort and coordination truly made this season possible. Winemaker's first pick was September 8th and completed on October 23rd.
Tasting Note
The 2021 Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir features earthy aromas of forest floor and notes of strawberries, pomegranate, orange blossoms and cloves. The palate is firm, accented with dark plum and cranberries finishing with just a hint of hibiscus tea, rhubarb pie and sandalwood. This wine would pair well with your holiday glazed ham.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Pinot Noir
APPELLATION: Sta. Rita Hills
PH: 3.6
ACIDITY: 5.8 g/l
ABV: 14.1%
AGING: 10 months in French oak, 30% new
Unique Selling Points
- Sta. Rita Hills AVA is extremely well-suited and best known for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Individual lots are vinified and barrel aged separately, spending approximately 18 months in French oak before blending.
“The combination of climate and soil diversity found in the Sta. Rita Hills offer some of the best grape growing conditions I’ve ever seen.”
Dave Frazier, Winemaker
About the Grape
Pinot Noir
In France, makes a silky, deceptively powerful wine of elegant, complex aromas and subtle, red fruit flavors, with earthy, floral, mushroom and mineral notes. In California, shows ripe, sweet characters.
