♦ 2007 Pinot Noir ♦

Vineyard: Branciforte Creek Vineyard
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Wine: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.4%
Production: 224 cases




 

Branciforte Creek Vineyard is located on Jarvis Road in the Vine Hill area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, just a mile away from our well-known Estate Vineyard on the same road. The vines were planted in 1988 in a site that originally had grapes since 1863. This vineyard has low yields of very flavorful fruit year after year.

Compared to other Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noirs, this one is remarkably drinkable when young. It should still age very nicely if cellared, but we have a hard time making a convincing argument that you shouldn’t just drink it and enjoy it now.

 

The 2007 vintage was one of rather small berries, resulting in a great concentration of flavor. We believe this vintage has the most potential of any we have worked with so far from this vineyard.

“This is an elixir meant to be loved right now, although it can certainly take a nap in your lovely cedar wine cabinet for a few years or so. This wine wants to dance in your mouth, swirling every color of scarf in the wind and turning the perfect pirouette, over and over again. The aromas are so earthy, with a hint of mushroom…, plus lovely blackberries and strawberries. It’s so classic Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot – gorgeous, fleshy, yet high strung.”
Laura Ness, freelance wine writer

Silver Medal – San Francisco Chronicle 2010