2020 Sanchietti Vineyard Pinot Noir
Fresh, juicy and vibrant, this wine opens with a kaleidoscope of brandied cherry, rhubarb-strawberry, pomegranate and clove spice. A nod to fresh mint and fennel sits next to an evocative note of salty ocean spray. Creamy, rich, and textured while still being refreshing and quaffable, this Sanchietti Vineyard is simply a gleefully fresh, satisfying Pinot Noir.
The year began with a very dry winter, leaving some vineyards with reduced water for the growing season. This translated into smaller berries, adding extra intensity to the aromas and flavors. The harvest at Patz & Hall wrapped up in late September, making it the earliest end of picking in my 30+ years of winemaking. Though 2020 produced record small yields, the quality was remarkable, with most vineyards producing wines of depth, intensity, and dramatic concentration. The Pinot Noirs show very dark and concentrated flavors with developed tannins. Overall, I’m very pleased with the strength and vitality of the 2020 wines and believe they have a long life ahead.
Located west of Sebastopol on the Bodega Highway, the Sanchietti Vineyard was planted in 2009 to clones chosen by James Hall along with rootstock and trellising by vineyard owner and viticulturist Mark Sanchietti. Originally an apple orchard, this exquisite 12-acre property features some of the finest Goldridge sandy loam soils. It is planted on an east-facing slope, in a location where the fog tends to dissipate earlier, ensuring lovely morning sunshine.
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (35% New; 65% 1&2 year used) All 3-year air dried staves
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
This wine is Vegan
- Type:
- Red
- Varietal:
- Pinot Noir
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Russian River Valley
- Vintage:
- 2020
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Aging:
- Aged 16 months on light lees
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- Multi-yeast fermentations (native yeast, followed by cultured yeast); 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel