2017 Ceritas Pinot Noir Trout Gulch Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Just outside the town of Aptos in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. Farmed by Richard Alfaro. Cold, fog-saturated air blankets the vineyard, meaning daytime temperatures rarely exceed 80 °F (27 °C). Planted in 1971 with the Mt Eden clone and dry-farmed. Very small clusters, 50–60 grams per cluster with small berries. Shaded ruby. Intense nose. Dry finish. Food wine! Definitely doesn’t have enough sweet, flattering fruit to be drunk without food; but it should taste well with the right dish. (JR)
Critic scores
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Pinot Noir Trout Gulch Vineyard is another powerful wine in this range. The typical energy and tension of this Santa Cruz Mountains site are very much in evidence, but I am also impressed by the sheer intensity, inner perfume and richness of the fruit. Brisk saline and mineral-infused notes give the 2017 its striking persistence. Although it is embryonic, the Trout Gulch is simply exceptional.
About the producer
Created in 2005 by John Raytek, Ceritas is one of California’s most exciting producers. The project is focused on making single-site wines from Northern California’s coastal regions, largely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.