Racines Wine - Pinot Noir "SAINTE ROSE" Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml (13.3% ABV)
A newer release from Racines!
The 2020 is a blend of the best barrels from:
Sanford and Benedict, La Rinconada and Rancho La Vina.
Soil is Sorento loam, Gaza clay with white chert.
Racines is a collaboration lead by Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy and Rodolphe Peters of Champagne. Étienne and Brian had been on an exploratory trip to California and Oregon in search of a place where they could put down roots for an initial project beyond that of Domaine de Montille in Burgundy. In the Santa Rita Hills, they found the precision and finesse they were looking for.
LA RINCONADA VINEYARD - Planted in 1997. From the upper plantings at the La Rinconada Vineyard, neighboring the famous Sanford & Benedict Vineyard (from above the 2 vineyards appear to be one contiguous site). This is a selection of Mt. Eden cuttings that Richard Sanford brought down from Northern California years ago.
SANFORD & BENEDICT - From the famous Sanford & Benedict Vineyard with the Racines portion coming from the historic parcel of original plantings dating back to 1971. These vines are the oldest vines in the Sta. Rita Hills and situated on a gently north facing slope with thin soils consisting of lots of shale and chert.
RANCHO LA VINA - Situated on the mesa overlooking the walnut orchard and much of Rancho La Viña is our 35 acre vineyard boasting high quality Pinot Noir fruit. Rancho la Viña is a family owned and operated ranch located on the Central Coast of California. Our 2,800 acres are what remains of the Santa Rosa Land Grant, which we purchased in the 1860’s. Our crops are grown within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area), which is well known for its high quality Pinot Noir grapes. In addition to Pinot Noir wine grapes, we grow a variety of other crops which are uniquely suited to our local climate. Our Premium Central Coast Walnuts are well known for their excellent quality, as are our organic heirloom tomatoes.
We have been raising livestock and crops on our ranch since the 1860’s when we raised sheep. Since that time our crops have shifted with the changing economy, from sheep to cattle, and from oat hay, dry Lima beans and mustard to walnuts, wine grapes and tomatoes.
Elegant and lifted with amazing energy, purity of fruit, and well-integrated structure. Varietally correct with gorgeous combo of red fruit and forest floor with subtle oak spice nuances in the background. Ripe red cherry, blood orange, spice, menthol and a good deal of pizazz from the 50% whole cluster. Pliant, creamy, so expressive.
only 890 6 packs produced.
92 pts Vinous
region: Sta Rita Hilla, CA, USA
farming/cellar: organic farming, spontaneous fermentation, pigéage throughout fermentation, 50% whole cluster, offering a burlier, more extracted flavor profile, with more weight, volume and exceptional aging potential. matured in 228L barriques for 18 months (25% new), unfined & unfiltered
pairing: