The 2013 La Rinconada Pinot Noir is the best of the best from our estate vineyard in the esteemed Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Dijon clones 114, 115, 667 and 777 along with a little Mt. Eden selection growing on the hillside east of our winery give great intensity and complexity. An even growing season (similar to 2012) delivered beautifully complex wines of impeccable balance. This 2013 bottling is deep ruby red in color and is exploding with a combination of earthy cherry, sage and white pepper. The palate delivers flavors of spicy red fruits framed nicely by bright acidity. The mid palate is full and round and leads to a lingering finish suggestive of cherry and mocha. The wine was allowed to age in new French Oak barrels (40% new) for 14 months where it gained concentration and a velvety texture. While enjoyable now, this wine has the balance concentration to age gracefully for the next 10 to 15 years.

TASTING NOTES: The palate delivers flavors of spicy red fruits framed nicely by bright acidity.

AROMA NOTES: Exploding with a combination of earthy cherry, sage and white pepper.

APPELLATION: Sta. Rita Hills
VINEYARD: La Rinconada
BRIX AT HARVEST: 24.0
AGING: 14 months in French Oak (40% new)
MALOLACTIC: 100%
PH: 3.4
TITRATABLE ACIDITY: 6.5 grams/L
ALCOHOL: 14.3%
BOTTLING DATE: November 25, 2014
RELEASE DATE: May, 2015
CASES PRODUCED: 1,136

93 Points: "Violet, lavender, mulberry, black cherry, cola, graphite and a touch of sarsaparilla lead the nose on this bottling from this vineyard planted in 1997. Tart cranberry, pencil lead, dried orange rind, bay leaf, fennel and bay leaf all show on the palate, which is tremendously grippy and offers strong depth way into the finish." - Matt Kettman, Wine Enthusiast

91 Points: "Also outstanding, the 2013 Pinot Noir La Rinconada Vineyard is a pretty, nicely focused effort that has the warm spice, potpourri, crushed flowers and a berry fruit profile that's common in most of these 2013s. Elegant and nicely textured on the palate, with plenty of charm, it's well worth checking out and will drink nicely for 4-6 years." - Jeb Dunnuck

93 Points: "Smooth and ripe with rich cherry, spice and juicy acidity; elegant and Burgundian with savory, bright style; long and balanced, tangy flavors and racy." - Anthony Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel

90 Points: "This is quite pungently-scented with its aromas of menthol, plum, dark currant, pomegranate and herbal tea. There is once again good vibrancy to the delineated and more tightly coiled flavors that possess better depth and length on the dusty, linear and ever-so-mildly austere finale. This too should benefit from a few years of bottle age to flesh out the finish as well as add a bit more depth. Drink 2020+." - Allen Meadows, Burghound