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2018 WALT Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir

Removed from a subterranean wine cellar; Purchased direct from winery

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

95Wine Enthusiast

Hearty aromas of blackberry, mace, cardamom and damp soil are rich yet nuanced on the nose of this bottling. It's soft and lush on the palate, combining red- and black-fruit flavors with star anise and cardamom cream. It's a very satisfying style of Pinot Noir, full of spice and richness.

94Vinous / IWC

Mineral-accented black raspberry and cherry aromas... Focused and alluringly sweet, offering concentrated red and dark berry preserve, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that become livelier on the back half. Shows firm cut, spicy lift and a touch of smokiness on the persistent finish, which is shaped by gently gripping tannins.

92Wine Spectator

A richly spiced version, featuring seductive notes of underbrush to the cherry tart, raspberry and ripe dark plum flavors, flush with vibrant acidity. The racy finish of slate and wet earth takes on wild herb nuances.

REGION

United States, California, Central Coast, Monterey, Santa Lucia Highlands

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is a 12-mile long, narrow strip of an appellation wedged along the eastern hillsides of the Santa Lucia mountain range. Given its proximity to Big Sur and the Gabilan Mountain Range to the northeast, Santa Lucia a cool-climate wine growing district. Morning sun is often followed by maritime winds and fog in the afternoon, a weather pattern that prolongs the growing season and means long, gentle ripening of the grapes. Spanish missionaries planted vineyards in the district in the 18th century, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that modern winemakers planted vineyards and began making high quality wine. The district received AVA status in 1991 and today there are 6,000 vineyard acres in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Pinot Noir is the dominant grape planted, followed by Chardonnay and Riesling.

TYPE

Red Wine, Pinot Noir

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.

VINTAGE

2018 WALT Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir