2018 Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

The 2018 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) is fabulous. Dark, deep and exquisitely layered, the appellation Pinot shows just how outstanding 2018 is. There is so much to admire. Time in the glass brings out myriad shades of red/purplish berry fruit, spice, licorice, menthol, sage and blood orange. What a wine! (AG)

This is absolutely, without doubt, one of the finest bottles of Pinot Noir in all of California. A perfect rendition of what the Santa Cruz Mountains can do with this varietal. Simply stunning! Sitting high on Skyline Rd, at the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Thomas Fogarty is one of the crown jewels of the appellation. Winemaker, Nathan Kandler, has steadily built a reputation as one of the best winemakers of his generation, crafting wonderfully pure wines that speak with clarity and confidence about this world-class, cool-climate terroir. The Santa Cruz Mountains bottling from Fogarty combines several blocks of their own estate vineyards with other small family growers across the mountains. The sources include four different sub-regions: Corralitos, Summit, Skyline, La Honda - and the blend expertly captures the magic of these mountains and their potential to produce sensational Pinot Noir. Beautifully expressive right from the first pour with wonderful floral tones of red rose, bramble fruit, baking spice and coastal redwood forest. The palate is brimming with pure, ripe, delicious red berry fruits, ground spices, subtle Amaro like alpine herb tones. Medium bodied with perfectly weighted fruit and vibrant, energetic acidity that really gives lift and potency to the aromas and flavors. Subtle oak spice rounds out the suave finish with lingering floral tones and earthy spice. Exquisite Pinot Noir by any measure, and a truly faithful rendition of what the Santa Cruz Mountains has to offer lovers of this grape. I can't recommend this wine any more highly, don't miss it!