2021 Escolle Vineyard Pinot Noir
Located in the northern part of Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monterey County, Escolle Vineyard Pinot Noir is perhaps the most “classic” of our Central Coast Pinot Noir vineyards. It is always full of fresh red fruits, extremely aromatic, and seamless on the palate. This vintage showcases a touch of menthol (no doubt due to Eucalyptus grove just down the road). The palate is full of graphite, spice, and orange peel.
- 93 points: Decanter
- 93 points: Drunken Cyclist
The grapes were hand-harvested at optimal ripeness. They were then hand-sorted and destemmed. We cold-soaked the grapes for 3 days to extract color, after which fermentation began spontaneously. Daily pumpovers and punchdowns were performed for cap management. The grapes were then pressed at dryness and put into 30% new oak barrels plus 70% neutral barrels to age. The wine was racked 5 months after harvest to assemble the cuvee, then returned to barrel for another 12 months. We bottled this wine in June of 2023, unfined and unfiltered.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Appellation | Santa Lucia Highlands |
| Vineyard | Escolle |
| Harvest Date | 09/30/2021 |
| Aging | 17 months in 30% new French oak |
| Alcohol | 14.80% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 06/22/2023 |
| Cases Produced | 220 |
