2014 Comartin "R-Bar-R Ranch" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

Staff Reviews

RW

Ryan Woodhouse

Ryan Woodhouse

K&L Buyer

For many years winemaker Adam Comartin was part of the team at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos that has produced so many fantastic and highly acclaimed wines from some of California's top Pinot Noir vineyard sites. Now Adam and his wife have set out to forge their own path with the namesake label "Comartin Cellars." A Pinot Noir and Grenache enthusiast, Adam seeks out unique vineyard sites and makes tiny batches of wine in a small urban winery in San Carlos, CA. His intricate knowledge of California's Central Coast and wealth of local connections means that he has access to some stunning little vineyard blocks such as this one (R-Bar-R Ranch) in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Whole-berry fermentation keeps the wine bright, aromatic and pure. The palate has abundant silky, ripe fruit but there is also an energetic, vibrant feel about the wine with wild bramble and bay laurel lift. A lick of quality French oak frames the wine with delicate but exotic spice.

Notes

Winemaker's Notes: "A decadent Pinot Noir with rich aromas and flavors. Strawberry and cherry pie notes with hints of spice and nutmeg. A seamless finish with oak and vanilla tones. Santa Cruz Mountains has a long-standing history for producing world-class Pinot Noir. The steep terrain, high elevation, proximity to the ocean and maritime fog are the perfect combination for developing balanced wines. The R-Bar-R vineyard is perched at 1,100ft at the southern tip of the mountain range near Mt Madonna overlooking the Pacific Ocean (10 miles from ocean). This extreme location and climate produce a vibrant Pinot Noir with beautiful berry and earth flavors. The wine was destemmed only & fermented as whole berries to preserve fruit and not over extract the seed tannin. Fermentation was conducted cold to preserve aromas and malolactic fermentation completed naturally to add roundness to the palate. Lastly, giving the wine extended time in barrel (25% new French oak) allowed the wine to soften and create a beautiful finish."