For The Love of Pinot

2019 Sea Floored

Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: 667, 777, Pommard and 459
TA: 5.1 g/L | pH: 3.52 | Alcohol: 14.4%

VINEYARDS: Fruit was sourced exclusively from our two estate vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills, each sited to benefit from the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean. The Rancho Santa Rosa vineyard is planted on steep, south-facing slopes in limestone soils. Rancho Las Hermanas is the westernmost property in the AVA, with vines growing in over six different soil types, all of ancient marine origin.

VINTAGE: An extended cool growing season in 2019 set us up for a later start to harvest, but some intense Labor Day heat pushed the vines to maturation, allowing us to pick the fruit the first two weeks of September.  Patience was a virtue during Mother Nature’s weather roller coaster ride, but the disease pressure was low and the quality was good, with nuance and diversity of fruit expression. 

RATINGS: 

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast 
"This special bottling from the Foley family packs a lot of complexity into the nose, offering aromas of bay leaf, toasted wood, light cannabis and brisk pomegranate. The palate is firm in texture and covers a wide range of fruit, from dark berry to bright red fruit, though it may be the graphite-like minerality that sets it apart." —M.K.

2019 The Cusp

Appellation: Russian River Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: Mt. Eden 37, Pommard and Swan
TA: 5.57 g/L | pH: 3.58 | Alcohol: 14.4%

VINEYARDS: Our Trenton Road Vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley AVA of Sonoma County, and ideally situated to benefit from morning fog and afternoon sunshine. From the vineyard's 45 acres, we selected fruit from just four blocks (Old Barn, Richard's Crown, Richard's South and Kashia) which was hand-picked between September 11-28, 2019.

VINTAGE: The 2019 harvest started 1-2 weeks later than usual. A wet winter and spring followed by persistent cool temperatures extended the growing season, allowing the grapes to mature gradually, resulting in wines with good fruit concentraton.

RATINGS (v 2018)

90 Points - Wine Spectator
“Fresh cherry and dried raspberry flavors show a lot of cedar spice accents in this red, with a firm, minerally finish that has plenty of toasty notes. Drink now through 2023. 1,000 cases made.”—K.M.

2020 High Haven

Appellation: Anderson Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: 37, Calera, Pommard 4 and 667
TA: 5.5 g/L | pH: 3.64 | Alcohol: 14.9%

VINEYARDS: To capture a full expression of Anderson Valley, we sourced fruit from two sites. The majority comes from five blocks in the cooler “deep end” of the valley, at 480 feet elevation, where maritime fog and wind influences bring out bright and finessed characters. A smaller portion comes from our Middleridge Ranch, at 1,110 feet, where open hills and warm winds develop riper, more fruit-driven flavors. Fruit was hand-picked September 12-16, 2020.

VINTAGE: 2020 brought average rainfall, with a warm spring leading to an early bud break. Warm temperatures continued into summer and finished with a typical Labor Day heat spike. These conditions were perfect for ripening, and led to a slightly early harvest.

RATINGS: 

93 Points - Wine Spectator
"Intensely plush and fruity, with dark cherry, plum pastry and toasty flavors that are well-structured. Creamy in the midpalate with a finish that's loaded with chocolatey richness and spiciness. Drink now through 2026. - K.M.