2020 Pinot Noir, Rio Vista Vineyard 2A

Awards

Wine Enthusiast - 90 points

"Slightly rustic and gamy on the nose, this bottling offers dried cherry, light herb and tree bark aromas. The palate is a bit tart and wild, with sagebrush and sour cherry flavors."

--Matt Kettman

Food Pairing

Pair with rosemary lamb chops, eggplant parmesan, La Botte’s cioppino, tri-tip or pralines.

Production Notes

Clone Pinot Noir 2A; cases produced

Tasting Notes

“Legs” are considered irrelevant in Pinot Noir but it’s worth noting that this wine shows legs like Janet Leigh or a high kicking gal on Madison Avenue. The ruby red color brings to mind the original ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz, which just sold for $28 million at auction. The nose reveals red plum, red currant, rose petal, black dried earth and worn leather. Savor ripe pomegranate and mushroom on the palate. 

Vineyard Notes

The Rio Vista Vineyard, appropriately named as it overlooks the Santa Ynez River, is the eastern gateway to Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Although slightly warmer during the growing season than vineyards further to the west, Rio Vista is also temepered by the marine environment of the near by Pacific Ocean.

Winemaker Notes

Rio Vista Clone 2A grapes were added to the Flying Goat portfolio in 2004, and the first 2A “clonal” bottling debuted the following year. Clone 2A is one of the Wadenswil selection, a group of Pinot Noir clones imported from Switzerland in the 1950’s. Many like to use it as a “blender” as it tends to add red fruit, spice and nuances like violets and blueberries to a wine, without affecting density or tannin structure. With the cool climate of the Sta. Rita Hills, we believe that 2A can easily stand on its own! The grapes were hand harvested and delivered early in the day while still cool and firm. Gently de-stemmed and placed into small open top bins, the grapes were made into wine and then placed into French oak barrels.  We’ve
enjoyed watched our 2A clone wine evolve from a shy teenager to a diva over the past 20 years. At this stage, we think she’s settled into a married life with a Tiffany diamond ring on her finger.