2014 Sea Smoke Cellars Pinot Noir Southing Santa Rita Hills 1.5L

Description

Winemaking: We sorted clusters in the vineyard and then gently destemmed following an evening in our cold room. We removed all ‘jack stems’ on the sorting table. Musts were cold soaked in open-top fermenters for one to four days, then inoculated with cultured yeasts to begin slow fermentation. Each tank was manually punched down one to three times per day, with a total maceration time of fourteen to eighteen days. Upon completion of primary fermentation and maceration, all free run wine was transferred to tank for settling. We pressed at extremely low pressure (0.08 bars) to avoid extracting bitterness from the seeds. After settling overnight both free-run and press wines were racked to barrels.

Character: Each year, our goal for Southing is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. The ever-changing nose of the 2014 Southing exhibits Montmorency cherry, baking spice and dried flowers. The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by our estate vineyard’s characteristic cool climate acidity. -Winemaker’s Notes