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2017 Mindego Ridge Block Reserve Pinot Noir

Lightly depressed cork

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

96Vinous / IWC

Rich, powerful and boisterous...possesses tremendous textural resonance and flavor richness...striking layers of aromatic nuance to a core of inky blue/purplish dark fruit. In a word: magnificent!

91The Wine Advocate

...dried herbs, gravel dust, crushed strawberries and raspberries over bass notes of cardamom, nutmeg, forest floor, black cherries and licorice...palate is medium-bodied and richly fruited with loads of spicy accents, a firm, finely grained frame and seamless freshness, finishing long.

17.5Jancis Robinson

Scents of cranberry and cherry fruit with a hint of mulling spices. Cherry and cranberry fruit flavours are bright with citrus-peel acidity and suffused with an exotic potpourri, spicy character. Faint, but muscular tannins coat the mouth and flex as the wine finishes.

REGION

United States, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA includes high elevation territory in the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo. The AVA follows the coast line from San Francisco to Monterey with elevations from 400 feet to 3,000 feet above sea level. There are 1,500 vineyard acres and the AVA was established in 1981. Despite the challenging terrain in these rugged mountains and hills, highly esteemed wineries have been located here since the early 20th century, when Paul Masson, a Frenchman by birth, started making sparkling wine in the area. By the 1970s vineyards were growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Numerous microclimates within the AVA offer viticulturists diverse growing conditions, and many varietals are grown successfully.

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

2017 Mindego Ridge Block Reserve Pinot Noir