2022 Peake Ranch "Peake Ranch Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Dark sage, pencil shavings and pepper dust aromas meet with black plum on the nose of this dense and brooding Pinot Noir. The palate is more delicate and nuanced, its chalky and tense frame offering rose petal and crisp boysenberry flavors. (MK)

Growing alongside the Chardonnay, this stunning Pinot Noir also showcases the exceptional quality and complexity of this site. Taking inspiration from the OG vineyards of the neighborhood - Sanford & Benedict, Lafond, and Fiddlestix - Peake Ranch's Estate Pinot Noir is blended from three heritage selections of Pinot Noir: Calera, Swan, and Hyde. The powerful, brooding character of these old massal selections works in perfect harmony with this site, combining exceptional purity of fruit and effusive aromatics with rich mid-palate texture and savory, brambly complexity. The wine gets élevage in top-notch French oak cooperage, adding yet another layer of depth and polish. Being a slightly warmer site than most in the Sta. Rita Hills, much of the estate had already been picked before the big heat spike of 2022, and this wine shows excellent freshness and vibrancy as a result. A 20% whole-cluster inclusion adds further spice, aromatic lift, and nuance to the finish. This is seriously lovely Pinot Noir from a top-notch vineyard at a remarkably affordable price point!