Carneros Hills Winery Pinot Noir 2013
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Another of the producer's inaugural releases, this hails from the heart of Carneros where vineyards once belonging to Buena Vista had stood. Characteristic of the appellation, the wine is earthy and herbal, with light, crisp waves of grenadine and strawberry, staying light and textured on the palate.
Carneros Hills Winery is in the tenderloin of Carneros, south of the Carneros Highway. It is a new winery, established just in 2013. Despite its recent inception the winery has history and tradition behind it, having been the site of the historic Buena Vista Winery on the Sonoma side of the appellation, just over the Napa border. The winery underwent dramatic renovations in 2013-2014, including cutting-edge innovations for artisanal Pinot Noir production: hand-sorting systems, basket presses and a variety of fermentation vessels. Individual barrel rooms provide the ideal conditions for primary and secondary fermentations as well as aging.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.