WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Solomon Hills Vineyard is known to many as the coldest vineyard in the region. The cold ocean wind off of the Pacific whistles directly through the hills, on its way towards the desert. Located only 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Solomon Hills Estate's wines always show a special balance between bright and fruity tones, of which California are always know, and more secondary flavors of underbrush, dried florals and damp vegetation. They select a small portion of Pommard clone, planted in 1999, to highlight these less fruit dominated notes. Clones 115 and 667 give the fresh wild strawberry, pomegranate, and raspberry notes of which Pinot Noir from very cold regions is known. The free-draining soils lend to the direct tannins and the balance which comes from these elements is captivating.
TASTING NOTES:
The 2019 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills is slightly lighter colored (which is common from this vineyard) and was raised in 45% new French oak. It offers a more spicy, herbal nose as well as beautiful red and black fruits, gunpowder, flint, rose petal, and spring flower aromas and flavors. Beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it's another flawlessly balanced, gorgeous wine from this team that knocks it out of the park.
- Jeb Dunnuck, 95 pts.
This extremely coastal vineyard, which is the westernmost corner of the appellation, produces unique combinations of aroma and flavor. This bottling’s earthy nose pops with muddled mulberry and muddy cherry alongside both dewy and scorched sage. The palate is hearty and concentrated with rich, roasted plums and berries, spiced by anise and finishing on a mint-sprinkled meat flavor.
- Wine Enthusiast, 95 pts.
Gorgeous nose of just-ripe red fruit, cherry, plum, sage, camphor and bouquet garni. Lifted, edgy palate with aromas following through as lingering fruit and savoury elements. A restrained style, with resolved, ripe tannins and a long finish. This will improve over time for an even more complete package.
- Decanter, 95 pts.
