2020 WALT Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
Critic Review
"This is a crowd-pleasing style of Pinot Noir, starting with juicy aromas of black raspberry, boysenberry, rose petal, lilac and toasty oak, equally fresh and rich. It's hedonistically satisfying on the palate, with strawberry, oak and latte flavors that persist long into the finish."
Clos Pepe Vineyard
Situated in a cool enclave within the Sta. Rita Hills.
A long growing season accumulates saturated flavors.
Central Coast AVA
Roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California
from Santa Barbara County to San Francisco County
Sta. Rita Hills
Follows a clearly defined maritime “throat” that
ushers in the Pacific fog and constant cooling breezes.
Sandy Loam Soils
Cause vines to produce grapes with powerful varietal
character
Deep ruby in color, luscious fruit aromas of black cherry and raspberry are infused with exotic spice notes of cardamom and black tea, with floral nuances of rose. The palate opens to a beautifully rich and focused texture, laced with hints of fresh salinity and warm barrel spice.
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Black Cherry
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Raspberry
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Black Tea
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Rose
Clos Pepe is a very special vineyard site located in the heart of Sta. Rita Hills within and east west corridor that provides a strong maritime influence. Cooler growing temperatures allow for extended hang time. Limiting sandy soils provide small vines with intense clusters. A mixture of Dijon clones and Pommard clone sourced throughout the vineyard help bring balance and nuance to the finished blend.
Bottle Size | 750mL |
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Varietal Composition | 100% Pinot Noir |
Barrel Aging | 14 Months in 30% New French Oak (François Frères) |
Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County |
Vineyard | Clos Pepe Vineyard |
Vintage Notes | The season started with an unseasonably warm, dry winter. It wasn't until the end of March that cold, rainy weather arrived, and the mild spring gave the vines a strong, early start. Even with above-normal temperatures throughout the summer and fall, we still experienced the marine influence that defines the limiting conditions of our premium Pinot Noir sites—cool morning fog and afternoon wind. This vintage produced great wines that are fresh, focused, and beautifully balanced. |
Vintage | 2020 |