2016 Chalone Vineyard "Estate Grown" Chalone Pinot Noir

The feel of warm sun and a granite grip combine for an arresting aspect to this Pinot. The tannins create a tight perimeter for the cool fruit.

This is one of the most incredible deals I've ever seen during my time as a wine professional. We just scooped up this iconic wine, from one of the most fascinating vineyard sites in all of the "New World" for a fraction of its typical price. Sourced from old vine blocks on the estate dating back to the 60s and 70s, Chalone Estate is one of the most historic plantings of old heritage clone Pinot Noir in the country. The soil here is a unique mix of decomposed granite and limestone pushed up by the San Andreas fault. When this remote, high elevation vineyard was first planted in 1919 its founders understood that it was a unique terroir destined to produce highly distinctive wines. 101 years later Chalone fruit is still highly sought after even by today's youngest, most avant-garde winemakers. Chalone's relatively warm climate for Pinot Noir gives the wine plenty of power and concentration whilst the soils impart and distinct mineral component, heritage clones add yet another layer of intrigue and structure. Please don't be suspicious of the unusually low price here...this wine is direct from the winery who offered us an almost too good to be true, one time price, to move through some inventory in these uncertain and unprecedented times. The wine is excellent and from one of California's truly unique places to grow grapes.