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2018 Windy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
Vineyard
The Windy Hill Vineyard is perched atop the Fogarty Estate at nearly 2000 feet in elevation. The 2.5-acre vineyard was replanted in 2012 yet remains tightly packed and full of old California heritage selections of Pinot Noir. The vines are buffeted by wind, often blanketed in fog, and are grown in shallow soil. The challenging environment leads to wines with plenty of character. The Windy Hill wines are laced with red fruits, spice, and distinct mineral notes.
Winemaker Notes
2018 was another dry but not particularly warm winter; this changed in early February. A high-pressure system brought daytime temperatures into the 70’s, warming the soil and initiating bud break at some vineyard sites. In March, a cold front settled in and brought nighttime temperatures down to freezing, risking frost damage to the new shoot growth. These ‘false’ springs have become much more common in recent years. Summer was mild, leading to a marginally later harvest. The concentrated wines are poised and complex with depth and structure.
Technical Data
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains
Vineyard Designation
Windy Hill Vineyard
Acid
5.4
pH
3.65
Alcohol %
12
Other Notes
The 2018 Pinot Noir Windy Hill Vineyard is powerful, wild and intensely savory. The stem character is especially evident. Wild flowers, incense and spice meld into a core of dark fruit. The style here is quite particular. I would give this a few years to soften, as the tannins are quite imposing at the moment. - 93 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous