- Wines

2019 La Vida Bella Vineyard Pinot Noir
Vineyard
The La Vida Bella Vineyard is located above the floor of the Pleasant Valley area of Corralitos. At 600 feet in elevation and three miles from the ocean there is a very strong maritime effect on this vineyard. Joe Quink and Pam Minnis' site features a large swale on the northern section of the vineyard with some of the steepest terrain in the area.
Winemaker Notes
The 2019 vintage will go down as a classic year in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Unsettled weather in the spring resulted in poor flowering, and lower yields in some blocks. The summer was warm, but not oppressive. The lack of extreme heat events was a welcome change. Harvest began in mid-September, finishing up in mid to late October. The wines are concentrated with a fine balance of structure and fruit intensity. Site expression seems amplified; low yields and moderate temperatures often lead to some of our most singular and terroir driven wines.
Technical Data
Vintage
2019
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains
Vineyard Designation
La Vida Bella Vineyard
Acid
5.4
pH
3.59
Alcohol %
13.1
Other Notes
The 2019 Pinot Noir La Vida Bella Vineyard is a bright, pungent wine. Beams of supporting tannin give the 2019 its spine and overall sense of drive. Black cherry, sage, mint, lavender and dark spice nuances all come together nicely. There is a bit of firmness, so I would cellar this for at least a year or two. - 93 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous