Donnachadh Pinot Noir 750mL

The palate is where the Sta. Rita Hills really shines through, with the dynamic tension between the cool ocean breeze and the bright California sun: juicy, ripe dark fruits — red and black cherries and pomegranate — atop a backbone of minerality, crushed rocks and firm tannins. It has a lengthy finish where the fruit trails off with a little tang of iron, dried herbs, black tea, and slight salinity.

Aged 16 months in French oak, about 25% new.

This is a wine that’s built for the long haul and will improve for several years in the cellar. Drinking now, we recommend decanting the wine ahead of time, or at least opening the bottle early and giving it lots of air and time to evolve in the glass.