2017 La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir - Alma Rosa Winery
Spiced cranberry, ground coriander, juicy wild cherry. Blood orange, sautéed mushroom, sweet pomegranate. A lush yet lifted eruption of earthy strawberry, black raspberry, and rhubarb compote alluringly converges undergrowth, cinnamon, and potpourri in a delightfully expressive and expansive display. A flutter of cardamom highlights a waft of perfumed exotic spice intricately complicated by herbal notes of sage, peat, tarragon, and rosemary. Floral tones of lavender and blooming rose further bolster wide-reaching aromatics while impressions of hoisin, turned earth, and dried seaweed reveal intriguing organic and umami-laden flair. Hints of clay loam and ocean waves round out the attack with a thread of cool coastal terroir concluding in a streak of clean and fresh salinity. Ethereal and intriguing on the nose while remaining quite tense and serious on the palate; exhibiting excellent concentration and balance within a gentle punch of delicate power. Medium plus in body with moderate yet soft tannin cut by elevated acidity. This 2017 La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir by Alma Rosa Winery is a complex, well made, and terroir expressive red from Santa Barbara's Santa Rita Hills.
Despite its location in coastal Santa Barbara County just two hours north of Los Angeles, the Santa Rita Hills is one of California's coolest-climate winegrowing regions and has quickly become legendary for producing Pinot Noir of absolutely exceptional quality. This bottling, crafted by Alma Rosa Winery using Pinot Noir sourced from the La Encantada Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, captures the incredible depth and complexity this region is uniquely capable of providing. This wine instantly gushes expansive aromatics the second the cork is pulled and effortlessly manages to marry substantial fruit with a plethora of spiced, savory, and herbal nuance. It is bold and attention-grabbing without sacrificing elegance or subtlety; simultaneously providing both intellectual stimulation and sheer thrill. Delicious.
