There are a lot of fine vineyards being planted along the Santa Lucia Highlands benchland these days. And prices are climbing as the appellation gains more and more attention. When it comes to the best fields, like Pisoni, the Garys', and of course Rosella's Vineyard, who can argue? The quality is fantastic and the style of wine being produced is delicious.
This year's Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir comes from a combination of three different vineyards. The first, Rosella's Vineyard, which is our top Pinot Noir source, provides about 53% of the wine, specifically the floral and bright red fruit characters from its ‘Pisoni' and 777 clones. The Rosella's in this wine is typically sourced from a small section that sits lower on the property and usually holds more crop than what goes into the top cuvee. In addition to holding aside this piece, a small amount of the press wine from the top-level lots is included. The second vineyard, the Tondre Vineyard, sits about one mile south of Rosella's Vineyard on River Road and provides 26% of the cuvee. The broader, cherryish aspects of this wine are from the clone 115 and 777 Pinot Noir Joe Alarid grows for us, and for several other notable wineries. The third vineyard, Fairview Road Ranch, is responsible for the final 21% of the blend. Kirk Williams' fruit contributes spicy and strawberry-like aromas and flavors, along with the focused acidity that holds the finish together.
The 2005 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir offers a range of cherry, floral and spicy aromas and flavors, accented by subtle notes of tobacco and vanillin. Possessing a bright and full mouthfeel, the lively fruit flavors show some structure for aging on the finish. Total production for the 2005 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir was 236 cases.