2018 Pinot Noir, Rio Vista Vineyard Dijon

Awards

Wine Enthusiast 91 points.

"Blistered strawberry, sagebrush and incense aromas are prominent on the nose of this clone-focused bottling. The palate follows a similar line, with red fruit and minty sage-oil flavors, still clinging to a tactile texture."

--Matt Kettmann

Food Pairing

Pair with Yorkshire pudding, a Sunday roast or a tomahawk steak. To satisfy the sweet tooth, pair with dark chocolate and coconut cake. Drink now or cellar this tasty ageworthy wine. 

Production Notes

Pinot Noir clones 667, 777, and 115; 228 cases produced.

Tasting Notes

This wine brings to mind the sweet and seductive taste of espionage with the blue glint of Daniel Craig's eyes. The nose delights with hints of baked berries, brown spice and white pepper. The palate offers bright, fruit forward flavors of cranberry and dark cherry. This structured wine has a lovely round mouthfeel. 

Vineyard Notes

Three different blocks and three different clones comprise Rio Vista Vineyard. This meticulously farmed vineyard sweeps down the hillside on the southeastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, overlooking the Santa Ynez River – hence its name, “River View”. The grapes for our wine hail from the steep, eastern hillside of the vineyard, with soils laden with rocks and chert. 

Winemaker Notes

Our Dijon blend is made up of clones 115, 667 and 777. After hand harvesting, the perfect little clusters were gently de-stemmed and the whole berries placed into fermenters. After inoculation with yeast, the “must” slurry of juice and skins was punched down by hand twice each day to extract flavor, color and tannins. Upon completion of fermentation, the wine was placed into French oak barrels and allowed to age for about 18 months. After a light filtration to ensure clarity and remove any unwanted sediment, the wine was bottled and stored. This bottle aging allowed the tannins, acids and flavors to meld and integrate, providing a wine that is enjoyable upon release. Each of these “dijonaise” clones contributes a component and enhances the others in this blend.