High-elevation coastal Pinot Noir from Mendocino Ridge. Just 70 cases produced.
The 2021 Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir is sourced from the highest vineyard that we work with at 2,000 feet, windswept by coastal breezes, surrounded by majestic redwood trees. Manchester Ridge Pinot Noir has a high intensity of just ripe berries, red apples and resinous herbs. Flavors of lush blackberry and plum, cherry blossom and cedar, highlight juniper, bay laurel and woodsiness; unique markers for coastal Californian Pinot Noir. The wine is a beautiful rich ruby with purple core, silky palate and bright acidity. Showing beautifully upon release, we expect this Pinot Noir to continue to improve for 8-10+ years.
We strive to allow the site to shine in every wine we produce. All lots of Pinot Noir undergo an extended cold soak until native yeast begin a spontaneous fermentation in open-top fermenters, where the grapes are punched down by hand once to twice per day. Our small lot fermentations, with 50% whole cluster, take upwards of a month before a light pressing to barrel for their extended aging. Our Pinot Noir remains in 50% new 500L Damy puncheons for 24 months, and then aged in bottle for one year prior to release.
Wine Enthusiast 95 points
Manchester Ridge Vineyard sits at a 2,000 foot elevation due west of Anderson Valley and about four miles from the Pacific Ocean. On the ridge tops of the Pacific Coast mountain ranges, this vineyard resides above the fog throughout the year. The maritime influence paired with the bright yet cool sun on the coast increases the hang time of our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, further elevating the bright minerality imparted by the Goldridge soils. Unpredictably blustery, cold and ever-changing, the climate at Manchester Ridge Vineyard is by far the most challenging of all of our vineyards we work with but the fruit quality is always amongst the highest for the winery.
