94 Points From Wine Enthusiast
“This powerful Pinot Noir offers intense aromas of black plum, purple flowers and toasty melted caramel. The palate is loaded with herbs and spice, from tarragon, sage and bay leaf to cardamom and anise, as well as a rich boysenberry-jam core.”

Vineyard Notes
“The Spanish term ‘Las Alturas’ means ‘the heights’, a fitting name for this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA up to 1200 feet. At this elevation, the sunny but very cool climate creates a wine bearing all the hallmarks of this coastal region: robust, expressive, full bodied, and balanced by a firm acidity. Nestled between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the western side of Salinas Valley, Las Alturas benefits from early morning fog which rolls in most days from Monterey Bay then burns off within a few hours. Gusty winds funnel in from the bay throughout the afternoon, moderating the overall temperature and contributing to one of the longest growing seasons in California. The high winds also result in smaller berries with very thick skins, giving us more color concentration. Another attractive characteristic of this vineyard is the low-vigor, free-draining sub-soil made up of a calcareous base underneath a layer of sandy loam. This complements our farming techniques to further reduce our yields per vine and augment the fruit’s intensity.”

Tasting Notes
“Deep purple garnet ?? color, this wine has overflowing aromas of sun-ripened cherries, sweet plums, hints of cola, and white pepper. The palate is complex and rich, packed with dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry. This wine is a full and intense expression of Pinot Noir, well balanced with toasted oak and vibrant acidity on the finish.”