Gainey Pinot Noir 2019
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The latest vintage of this delightful wine displays a vivid ruby-red hue and bright,
fragrant, fruit-forward aromas of black cherry, red raspberry, blackberry and
pomegranate, complemented by a whiff of rose hips tea. On the palate, the wine
delivers intense, juicy, strawberry, cherry, plum and blackberry flavors that take on a zesty, tea-leaf spice tone in route to a long, fruitful, mineral-tinged finish. Delicious now with foods like grilled salmon, rotisserie chicken, roast duck, and lamb, this vibrant, varietally expressive Pinot Noir will age gracefully in bottle.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Always a reliable bottling, this appellation blend is even more triumphant in a great vintage. Fresh strawberry and plum aromas meet with earthy herbs on the zesty, fresh nose. The palate holds a tense line that rises into the finish, giving structure to the more opulent red fruit, purple flower, cardamom and lingering peppercorn flavors.
Editors' Choice -
Wine & Spirits
There’s a pleasing red-fruited clarity to this wine, framed by spicy sumptuous oak. The flavors are deep black cherry, caramel and cinnamon, with a modest sour-cherry tartness that playfully intersects with the dark fruit. Decant it for smoked chicken.
Other Vintages
2021-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Wong
Wilfred
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Wong
Wilfred -
Panel
Tasting
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine &
Dan J. Gainey retired in 1984 to devote himself to fulfilling his dream of making wine. In 1983, he planted 51 acres of vineyards on the northern boundary of the Gainey Ranch and in November of 1984 the 12,000 square foot Spanish-style winery opened its doors to visitors. Soon after, Dan H. Gainey joined his father and together the father-son team have set out to produce premium, hand-crafted wines made from the best vineyards in Santa Barbara County.
With over 40 years of farming experience behind them, the Gaineys have a connection to the land that few vintners may share. Since the original vineyard planting in 1983, the Gaineys have added 32 acres to their "Home" Ranch, which is primarily planted to the Bordeaux varietals Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In 1996, they purchased 120 acres on the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley, a cooler growing region more suitable for Burgundian varietals. In 1997, they planted 35 acres at this "Santa Rosa Hills" Ranch to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, with plans for further plantings in the years ahead.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.