Penrose Hill
2020 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Curated from the best regions, vineyards and vintages, the Fine Wine Collection is meant to celebrate winemaking at its finest. This wine represents our commitment to excellence, to exploration and to you.
2020 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, California
2020 was a typical, temperate growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands, summarized by sea breezes and sunshine. Each morning, the sun rose to warm our vineyards, burning off the night’s lingering moisture. We welcomed strong afternoon winds as they kept our grapes cool throughout hot days before evening’s mist would return to blanket our vineyards. This cycle of fog and wind allows our Pinot Noir to reach a delectable balance of ripe fruit flavors and polished texture.
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA offers an idyllic home to Pinot Noir, which accounts for over half of its vineyard acreage. The climate here is consistent from year to year, with early springs and dry autumns allowing grapevines a long growing season, pushing harvest into late October. Coastal influences and strong winds temper the summer heat while warm, well-drained soils nourish vines throughout the summer. Pinot Noir from this region ranges in style but typically embodies a fruit-forward, New World expression.
When enjoying our Pinot Noir, oak precedes fruit along each stage of your tasting journey. Aromas of baking spices, chocolate and coffee serve as a welcoming introduction on the nose with subtle suggestions of dried dark fruit to be discovered. The palate is medium-bodied with soft acid and sturdy tannins creating a plush yet structured mouthfeel where concentrated flavors of ripe black cherry intermingle with plum for a fruit-focused finish.
Black cherry, plum, coffee, chocolate, baking spices
Profile
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This Pinot Noir showcases a fuller-bodied and structured style, making it a fantastic choice for food lovers. Dishes with salt, butter and fat will accentuate its rich fruit flavors and plushness. Select juicy, dark poultry meat like turkey legs or chicken thighs. Pork and tender cuts of beef are also excellent options. Play into the wine’s aromas by seasoning with coffee or cocoa meat rubs. Cooked vegetables will pair well, especially baked into cheesy casseroles or coated in salty gravy.
• Brown butter risotto
• Cheesy potato casserole
• Parmesan, garlic and spinach stuffed mushrooms
• Roasted chicken thighs with garlic and herbs
• Herb-brined roast turkey
• Pork tenderloin with coffee dry rub
Temperature: Lightly chilled red (55–60°F)
Decanting time: 30 minutes
Glassware: Burgundy glass
We are well practiced in the patience and precision required to craft exemplary Pinot Noir. With each decision from crush to bottling, our winemakers seek harmony with nature, utilizing gentle techniques that emphasize fruit character rather than mask it. Throughout fermentation, temperatures are closely monitored to protect Pinot Noir’s delicate varietal nuance before a calculated use of oak unlocks the complexity that elevates this wine well beyond your everyday bottle.
• Selecting the proper fermentation temperature harmonizes flavor, color and texture.
• Oak contact adds complexity and flavor while softening tannins.
• Morning and evening fog slows ripening which helps grapes retain their natural acidity.
• Wind moderates high temperatures, protecting grapes from overripening.
2020 Penrose Hill Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Ilike - dislike the wine: vintage brand varietal region .
It has aromas of aroma 1 , aroma 2 , and aroma 3 .
It is dry - off-dry - sweet with low - medium - high acidity and tastes like flavor 1 , flavor 2 , and flavor 3 . It has no - low - medium - high tannins and a light - medium - full body with a short - medium - long finish.
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