2023 Precious Mountain Pinot Noir

The 2023 Pinot Noir Precious Mountain Vineyard comes mainly from older vines planted in the 1970s. The small, dry-farmed site is located two ridges in from the Pacific Ocean at around 1,750 feet of elevation. Director of Winemaking Jeff Mangahas says many of the old vines, originally planted to Riesling and Gewürztraminer, were later grafted over to Pinot Noir. "Occasionally, there’s one errant shoot below the graft that comes out and gives one Riesling cluster,” he explains. “And Gewürztraminer especially shows up. We will harvest those few clusters and throw it in—it’s part of the complexity of the site.” Matured for 16 months in 67% new French oak, the Precious Mountain has arresting aromas of raspberry, strawberry, orange peel and grapefruit, plus nuances of hibiscus, black tea leaves and rosewater. Full-bodied and elegantly styled, the palate features detailed, crunchy, perfumed flavors framed by chalky tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a very long, expressive finish. Only 80 cases were made.