Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve Pinot Noir
91 Points, Wine Review Online, May 2013 (2012 Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve Pinot Noir)
In 2013, we selected Clone 667 Pinot Noir grapes from blocks N13 and N45 on south-facing terraces at our Olson Ranch Vineyard. The 2013 vintage on the Central Coast was outstanding, with neither excessive heat spikes nor cool stretches interfering with development. Fruit ripened evenly in these ideally moderate, dry conditions, building excellent ripeness and balance. The vintage has been compared to 2007, another year in which exceptionally high quality across vineyard blocks was noted. Wines from this vintage are showing expressive layers of ripe fruit flavors.
A dark and intensely flavorful wine, our Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir offers dense flavors of lavender and boysenberry framed by notes of pomegranate and cherry on the palate. A full, silky mouthfeel and fine-grained tannins precede a lingering finish, which concludes with elegant notes of vanilla and toast.