2018 WALT Sierra Mar Pinot Noir
Critic Review
"Hearty aromas of blackberry, mace, cardamom and damp soil are rich yet nuanced on the nose of this bottling. It's soft and lush on the palate, combining red- and black-fruit flavors with star anise and cardamom cream. It's a very satisfying style of Pinot Noir, full of spice and richness."
94 Points | Vinous, Josh Raynolds
"Glistening scarlet. Mineral-accented black raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of cola, incense and candied flowers. Focused and alluringly sweet, offering concentrated red and dark berry preserve, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that become livelier on the back half. Shows firm cut, spicy lift and a touch of smokiness on the persistent finish, which is shaped by gently gripping tannins."
Central Coast AVA
Roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California
from Santa Barbara County to San Francisco County
Sierra Mar
Translates to “mountain sea” in English, a fitting name
for a site that represents the best of extreme mountain
coastal terroir.
High-Altitude Vineyard
Site with decomposed granite and gravelly loam soils
With a plush garnet color, aromas of ripe red cherry, black tea and dried rose petal fill the glass. Powerful and well-structured, the palate offers plenty of rich fruit and spice. The wine finishes with perfectly balanced acidity and a lingering flavor of dried sage, characteristics distinctive to this unique region.
Red Cherry
Dried Rose Petal
Rich Fruit
Spice
Sierra Mar vineyard is owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni, famed pioneers of the Santa Lucia Highlands. This incredible vineyard site reflects the best of the appellation. The vineyard produces rich, lush, unctuous fruit that is balanced by the natural acidity of the site.
| Bottle Size | 750mL |
|---|---|
| Varietal Composition | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Barrel Aging | 10 Months in 45% New French Oak (François Freres) |
| Appellation | Santa Lucia Highlands |
| Vineyard | Sierra Mar |
| Vintage Notes | Following a series of warm, early harvests, this year’s growing season returned to a slower rhythm, allowing grapes to ripen gently with deep flavors. Our growers spent the summer and fall manicuring the vine canopies to provide the grapes enough shade from the sun while also preparing adequate airflow to deter mold. When Mother Nature did throw a couple of unpredictable systems at us, we were able to weather the storms and harvest exceptional fruit! |
Mile 203-211, Sierra Mar and Rosella's, Santa Lucia Highlands
