2019 Windy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir

$85.00$0.00
Thomas Fogarty Winery
Pinot Noir
Santa Cruz Mountains
12.8% Alcohol
Quantity
Complimentary shipping on orders over $299
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  • The 2019 vintage will go down as a classic year in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Some unsettled weather in the spring resulted in poor flowering, lower yields in some blocks. The summer was warm, but not oppressively so- the lack of extreme heat events was a welcome change. Harvest began in mid September, finishing up in mid to late October – relatively late compared to the recent string of early harvests.

    The wines are concentrated with a fine balance of structure and fruit intensity. Site expression seems amplified; low yields and moderate temperatures often lead to some of our most singular and terroir driven wines. The wines drink surprisingly well in their youth and have all the components for a long life ahead. The only downside to the year are yields; the wines will be sought after and rare.

    "This bottling by winemaker Nathan Kandler, from a vineyard 2,000-feet up in the mountains, demonstrates tremendous concentration at stunningly low alcohol. Aromas of mulberry, mace and sandalwood lead into a rich and woody palate that's reminiscent of a summer-warmed pine forest, where wild elderberry shrubs and plum orchards bake in the sunshine." - Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast 96 points

  • Our winemaking is focused on allowing the unique signature of each vineyard site to be expressed. We ferment all of our Pinot Noir in small lots of between one and two tons. We utilize varying percentages of whole bunches (approximately 25-50%), tailored to each site, and ferment the wines without the addition of yeast. Our maceration period lasts from 10-21 days, often including a short per-fermentation cold soak. We age our Pinot Noir in 3 year air dried French Oak, exclusively from the forest of Chatillon. The wines are pressed in a traditional basket press and allowed to settle before barrelling. The wines spend two winters in barrel and are racked only at bottling.

  • The Windy Hill Vineyard is perched atop the Fogarty Estate at nearly 2000 feet in elevation. The 2.5-acre vineyard was replanted in 2012 yet remains tightly packed and full of old California heritage selections of Pinot Noir. The vines are buffeted by wind, often blanketed in fog, and are grown in shallow soil. The challenging environment leads to wines with plenty of character. The Windy Hill wines are laced with red fruits, spice, and distinct mineral notes.