First impression from the nose is loads of cherries, cola, dark raspberries, and an earthy leather note to round things out.
One sip and I am convinced this is one of the best Pinots on the market that sits around $25. This is classic cool climate, coastal elegance sourced from a single vineyard in Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County. Between the fog keeping the vines cool and the unique characteristics of the soil consisting of ancient fossilized seashells, shale, limestone, and sand, this vineyard produces a Pinot that drinks way beyond its price point, that is infinitely drinkable.
This is an all women affair with proprietors Katherine and Julia Jackson and head winemaker Jill Russell who joined the team in 2017. The vineyard was renamed in 1988 in tribute to Julia Jackson.
Silky soft mouthfeel greets your first sip with a balance of delightful fruit, elegance, and restraint, with well-integrated fine grain tannin. Impressive layers of cherries, pomegranate, strawberries, and raspberries dominate with secondary notes of cranberries, cola, oak, with just a hint of an earthy leather note and spices on the lengthy finish.
For a flagship wine this is an over achiever, not surprised it received a 92 Pt rating from Wine Enthusiast.
This will cellar out to 2028 with confidence. I still have a few bottles in the cellar so look for updates in the future.
Pairing should include grilled Salmon on cedar plank, Chicken Salad with a Raspberry dressing, Turkey, or Pork with cranberry sauce.
A few quick observations: this is my first photo outside this year, summers here, finally. I have several Pinot glasses of different shapes, but I also seem to revert to old school from Riedel- I think they work best.
Vine to Table 