2018 DONNACHADH ESTATE PINOT NOIR

The 2018 Donnachadh Estate Pinot Noir is a wine of great complexity, concentration and finesse.

With the addition of a couple of Dijon clones to the mix, we give up the Heritage Vines designation for 2018 and moved to Estate. In terms of clones and blocks, we carried over the Swan, Calera and Pommard clones that we used in 2017, but added some clone 115 and clone 667 from the hillside blocks. Compared to the '17, the 2018 Estate Pinot Noir is more concentrated and displays darker fruit but retains balance and elegance. This was a very good year and the best Pinot we have made so far.

Aromas of wild sage, strawberry and cherry, violets, forest floor and pitch. In the mouth, a wave of tart red cherries, black raspberries, and plum with sarsaparilla and Earl Grey on the lengthy finish. 11 months in 20% new French oak barrels with about 15% whole cluster.

95 Points, Wine Enthusiast: "Smashed raspberry aromas are blasted with pleasantly funky touches of red miso, dried mushroom, toasted sage and other brittle herbs on the nose of this bottling. It presents creamy on the palate at first before light tannins set up the fresh flavors of raspberry and pomegranate, decorated in rose hips and light charcuterie touches." -- Matt Kettmann

Family owned and organically farmed, Donnachadh Vineyard is located on Santa Rosa Road in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County. The property is 285 acres with approximately 40 acres under vine. We grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and a little bit of Gamay Noir.

The climate of the Santa Rita Hills is dominated by the Pacific Ocean, which lies about 9 miles from the vineyard. Morning fog cools the grapes and consistent afternoon ocean breezes keep heat from building up over the course of the day.