Racines Santa Rita Hills - La Rinconada Pinot Noir 2018

Wine Region: California - USA

Grape: 100% Pinot Noir | Farmed using organic methods

Tasting notes: "Pinot Noir at La Rinconada Vineyard tends to exude a burly and structured style, as is the case with the 2018 Racines bottling. Sourced from a plot just feet away from that which supplies Tyler, a savoury and soft nose introduces a weighty, wide and tannic showing that is built to last." Decanter

From the upper plantings at the La Rinconada Vineyard, neighboring the famous Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, consisting of deep, dark, rocky soils. This is a selection of Mt. Eden cuttings that Richard Sanford brought down from Northern California years ago.

In the cellar, two thirds whole cluster is retained and fermented with a combination of foulage and pigeage before being put to 228L barriques, with thirty percent new barrels, for 19 months before bottling. Fermented using all native yeasts. Aging: 19 months in French, oak barrels (30% new).

Expert Rating: Vinous 92+/100 | Decanter 96/100

About the winery: Racines is a collaboration between two classic houses from France, led by vignerons Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne (Champagne Pierre Peters). The team came together to join their individual experiences in hand-crafting wines of purity and transparency to create a range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cool climate of the Sta. Rita Hills in California.

The project is the first venture for Étienne and Rodolphe beyond France and represents the coming together of all that is wonderful about Burgundy, Champagne and California. Production methods are firmly rooted in the traditions of France with all native yeast fermentations, extended elevage, use of whole cluster for Pinot Noir and wines that have ample amounts of fresh acidity and the ability to age

These wines confirm something many have long suspected: that if you are looking to make terroir driven, elegant, balanced wines in the new world, then Sta. Rita Hills is the place.

More about Racines here...