Looking back at the most loved Pinot Noirs I’ve featured over the years, there’s one from the Santa Lucia Highlands that rises above the rest.  Sonnet’s Tondre’s Grapefield Pinot Noir comes from an incredible site that neighbors the iconic Garys’ Vineyard.  And it’s appropriately named, with a perfume so muse-worthy that it makes it easy to wax poetic about.  One twirl of the glass unleashes a burst of red cherries woven throughout with wild rose petals, fresh violets and spices.  On the palate the wine is plush and satiny with perfect balance, and after tasting the 2016, you’ll want to get yours before the reviews… Trust me on this one.  

 

Santa Lucia Highlands is well-known for producing Pinot Noirs with great depth, often showing cherry-berry pie and exotic spices.  The topography and proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows for a long hang time, and in many areas, the fruit is able to reach optimum maturity, resulting in profound flavors.  This could be the poster-child for classic Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot and at $40/btl it’s absolutely one of the best in the shop.   I highly recommend picking up a case, while supplies last… you can (and will) thank me later. 

 

Retails at:  $45.00/btl

 

Winery Notes: “The 2016 vintage pinot noir shows an array of cherry fruit, red berries, nutmeg, and that recognizable Santa Lucia Highlands AVA spiciness, that resembles dried herbs, potpourri and briar patch. The palate is soft and plush with balanced acidity and moderate tannin.”

 

FORT ROSS 2013 PINOT NOIR FRV, SONOMA COAST Retails at:  $52.00/btl   Your Price: $39.99/btl  Click to Order   From Jeb Dunnuck: “The  2013 Pinot Noir FRV Fort Ross  Vineyard sports a ruby color as well as an open knit, ready-to-go bouquet of dried cherries, tobacco, menthol, and dried herbs. It’s pretty, medium-bodied, rounded, and supple, with an evolved style ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.” 90 Points

MATIAS  2015 PINOT NOIR ROSELLA’S VINEYARD Retails at:  $65.00/btl   Your Price:  Insider Club Members Only Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers Click to Order   From Wine Enthusiast: “Rose petals, cranberry and dust show on the nose of this bottling, which grows more intense on the nose as it sits open, offering riper fruit. Dried sagebrush and baked earth flavors show on the sip as the red fruit and floral components arise with grace.”  93 Points