Winemaker: Jeff Stewart
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Carneros, California
See other wines from this producer:
Buena Vista Syrah
Founded in 1857, Buena Vista Carneros is California’s oldest premium winery. One of California’s firsts is now one of California’s finest wineries. Set along the south-facing hillside overlooking San Pablo Bay, Buena Vista’s beautiful property is one of the most significant in Carneros.
Daily winds and fogs coming from the bay cool the vines and prolong the growing season. Nearly 500 acres in the region of Carneros, Buena Vista Carneros’ Ramal Vineyard boasts a remarkable number and range of sites with more than 100 separate vineyard blocks based on topography, geology and microclimates.
Jeff Stewart, Buena Vista’s winemaker came from award winning winery La Crema, with over 15 years of achievement in cool–climate viticulture, gaining his experience in different wineries. His personal attention to detailed work in the vineyard and during the whole wine-making process allows the wine to express unique Carneros terroir and typical assets of sensitive Pinot Noir grape.
The vineyards were carefully replanted started 2003 into unusually small blocs (some just 2 acres) to allow their 25 different clones of Pinot Noir to properly express itself. Harvested by hand, at night to keep the wine cool, into small ventilated harvest boxes, preventing grapes from crushing. Grapes are transported to winery immediately and the clusters/berries are sorted twice and de-stemmed by hand. After gentle crushing the skins are left with the juice for several days for cold soaking before fermentation.
This will give the winemaker more precise control over the extraction of flavor, color and tannins. After fermentation in stainless steel open tanks the wine goes into fine French and American oak for aging. Second malolactic fermentation takes place in oak to reduce harsh acidity and gives wine silky, velvety tannins. The wine typically ages 10 months in oak.
Tasting notes:
Lovely aroma of dark fruit and cherries. On the palate, rich and very pleasant ripe fruit expression with good complexity and balanced acidity. Soft tannins with hint of vanilla and spices. Long, satisfying finish. Approachable now, but it will improve even more with few more years in the bottle.
Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 30.00
Ideal food pairing:
Grilled salmon, Italian cuisine, spicy pork chops with peppers, mild cheeses
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