Alpine Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2013
A true Santa Cruz Moutain vineyard, steep and rocky, just 10 miles from the Pacific and at an elevation of between 1300 and 1400 feet. The shallow soils here are pure white chalky shale and the wine comes across as one of the highest toned, most complete wines in the range. Wild strawberry and violet notes surge from the glass in a dialled up lifted nose that leads to a palate with fine raspberry, sweet cherry and white flower elements all coming together on a finely etched delicate footprint of Pinot. There's great tension and vivid rocky minerality, it already feels like a mountain pinot, one that is surprisingly delicious already, but possesses exceptional development for potential.
critic reviews
The 2013 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is surprisingly forward at this stage in its evolution. The 2013 boasts cashmere-like textural polish and a sense of poise, balance and approachability that is just so inviting. What it lacks in the mineral drive and tannic spine Alpine typically shows, it more than makes up for with a plush mouthfeel and a saturation of saline-inflected pomegranate fruit. Shades of pine, black tea and exotic spice emerge with air. Seeing as how there is very little, if any, aromatic development at this stage, I’d imagine the 2013 will cruise nicely for at least another five to seven years.