As the name suggests, this Pinot grows at an average elevation of 1,300 feet, a scant 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. There’s a wonderful rustic quality to this, given that the Santa Cruz Mountain are comprised of ancient soils. The fruit is restrained, more earthy and mineral driven, just the sort of style that works well with a variety of different foods. Yes, there is black cherry, pomegranate, huckleberry, but also a light dried raisin note. There as also great acidity, a whisper of candied almond, sandalwood, resin and boysenberry. Acid driven wines not only work better at the table, but offer the potential of cellaring for a good many years. The tannins here are surprisingly taut but given its young age this is a good thing. This is a Pinot that deviates from the typical California strawberry-centric Pinot (and nothing wrong with those either), but the Alpine Vineyard gives a unique perspective on Pinot, and the cool, damp Santa Cruz Mountains help to make some of California’s best Pinot Noirs. ORIGIN: Santa Cruz Mountains. ALCOHOL: 13.4%
