2017 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is pale to medium ruby-purple and scented of woodsmoke, dried herbs, moss-covered bark, peppered meats, black cherries and blackberries with potpourri, nutmeg and blue fruit hints. The palate is light to medium-bodied with a silky texture and earthy fruits, supported with finely grained tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and spicy. (EB)
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Allen Meadows, Burghound
More reviews and scores
This too is markedly reserved and requires aggressive swirling to liberate the elegant and pure aromas of essence of red raspberry and beautifully spice and floral-scented nose. The middle weight flavors are not as concentrated or powerful as those of the Alpine Hillside yet they are much finer, indeed the word lilting comes to mind, while the dusty, focused and serious finish delivers excellent persistence. This is a wine of finesse and refinement and about the only reproach is that more depth needs to develop with time in bottle. If elegance is what you search for in fine pinot, look no further. *Outstanding*
The 2017 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is soft, open-knit and absolutely delicious. Crushed flowers, mint, blood orange, crushed red berries, chalk and white pepper are all very nicely lifted. The 2017 is airy and gracious, with lovely aromatic lift and tons of personality. The 2017 is especially suave. It is another pretty wine, very much in the lighter style of the year. (AG)
The 2017 Pinot Noir Home Vineyard is bright and nicely lifted, with a distinctly red-toned fruit profile and mid-weight structure. The 100% whole clusters are not especially evident in the wine's flavor profile, but the 2017 comes across as a bit light and lacking in body. It will be interesting to see what happens with time in bottle, as the wine does have quite a bit of energy. (AG)