2018 Tolosa Winery “1772” PINOT NOIR-Californien

WINEMAKER NOTES
2018 had a dry start to the year, with most of the rain arriving in spring. As a result, the wet springtime soil postponed budbreak. July was fairly warm which helped initiate harvest at the end of August. The grapes were destemmed, sorted and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged for 9 months in French oak barrels, with 19% of them being new. It was essential to use less new oak on the 2018 vintage to achieve balance. On such a vintage, this wine will show the bright red fruit common in Edna Valley as well as the freshness that comes with the cool coastal climate. Tannins are present, and they will soften nicely with a little bit of bottle aging.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD
This Pinot Noir is a medley of Tolosa’s estate vineyard Edna Ranch. The estate vineyard is spread throughout the Edna Valley, producing six unique vineyard sections with 60 soil types and a myriad of microclimates. The greater composition of this wine comes from the Hollister and Monighetti sections of Edna Ranch, while the balance comes from Stornetta and Moretti Canyon. With an assortment of grapes, this wine features clone 777, HMR, 667, 115 and Pommard. The 777 clone elevates the fruity notes in the wine that were a little shy from the cooler vintage, as HMR, Pommard and 115 help build the structure in the wine.

On the Nose Red Raspberry, black cherry, black tea, hibiscus, roasted sesame oil, graham cracker and a hint of peppermint
On the Palate Juicy fruit with acidity upfront exhibiting notes of blood orange, and rhubarb progressing to forest floor, blonde tobacco, black tea, crushed oyster shell and potpourri on the finish