Varner "Los Alamos Vineyard" Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2017
Grape Varietal & Region: 100% Pinot Noir from a single vineyard site in Santa Barbara, California
The Los Alamos vineyard is a landmark in Santa Barbara County (it was the site of the first Au Bon Climat winery in the early eighties), and has made a strong move toward sustainability in recent years under the stewardship of vineyard manager Tavo Acosta. The Varner Pinot was sourced from two blocks on the site with northeast/east exposures, and while this is a decidedly cool climate, which helps lengthen the growing season, there’s still enough sunlight intensity in Santa Barbara to push Pinot Noir over the brink, if you’re not careful
Taste Profile: A pale garnet color and a classic nose of woodsmoke, cranberries, Bing cherries, tree bark, dried citrus peel, pipe tobacco and dusty earth. In the mouth, it’s light-bodied and delicate with finely grained tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long and amaro-tinged
Winemaking Process: 100% destemmed fruit and aged in French oak barrels, of which just 30% were new
