2021 Epiphanies in Place

2021 was a big drought year in California. Not the usual amount of growth in the vines. Low yields. Low nutrients in the juices. I was getting shorted on all of my contracts in the first push of the harvest season, so I reached out to grower friends to see if anyone had anything else I could purchase. Literally anything. My friend Ken that takes care of Ascona where I get my Sangiovese for Scales offered me some luxury(pricy) Pinot that was getting picked the next day. I had no say in the pick timing but I was very familiar with the site and his farming and was excited to try my hand with Pinot from a Vineyard I was already connected with.

The fruit came in a bit leaner than I'd normally pick it but visually was beautiful. It started carbonic for 7 days and was then destemmed for another week of maceration. Thinking that I wanted a bit of that bright fruit lift without going fully into the jolly rancher spectrum and I also didn't want too much stem character on a wine that I anticipated being a bit on the lean side.

All of the Pinot in 2021 struggled to varying degrees due to the drought. The variety really doesn't do well with water stress. So the juice in the berries doesnt develop enough nutrients that the yeast need to do their thing. The ideal yeast then aren’t able to dominate the ferments, outcompeting less desirable yeast and bacteria. This leads to more hands on management of macerations. Sappy and snappy Pinot profile that reminds me of Vini Viti Vinci. Adult Hawaiian fruit punch. Opens a bit lean, but some joyous swirls around the glass, bring the fruity flesh out.

Combined orders of 3, 6, or 12 bottles only please :D Flat-rate $30 for shipping

Orders will begin shipping the first week of may/last week of April. Combined orders of 3, 6, and 12 bottles only please. Must be 21 or older to order. Adult signature required for delivery. Shipping unavailable for ND, NH, UT, MS, AL, VT, KY, SD.