2021 Corralitos Pinot Noir

Aromas of dusty strawberry, peach, orange rind, cranberry, clove, cinnamon and lavender. A soft entry with medium body. Subtle tannins and fresh acidity make for a pleasant and lingering finish. TG (2/23)

The Pacific Ocean, six miles to the west of this hilltop vineyard, provides the summer fogs that help retain natural acidity and varietal flavor. The grapes were destemmed but not crushed, leaving the whole berries to ferment more slowly. Extended aging in well-tempered barrels has added to this wine’s complexity. This delightful wine will be most enjoyable over the next five years. TG (3/23)

Ridge made its first pinot noir in 1971. Until 2018, that was the only one produced. To explore this grape variety again, we sourced from a vineyard in Corralitos, six miles from the Pacific Ocean. The cool climate of this coastal mountain site is favorable for moderating ripeness. Traditional methods were used to make this wine. It aged sur lees in burgundy barrels and clarified naturally. This sensuous wine will be at its best over the next five years.

Rainfall: Less than 14 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Mid May
Weather: No spring rains; supplemental irrigation helped the vines through the summer and harvest finished in early October.

Harvest Dates: 25 September – 5 October
Grapes: Average Brix 25.3˚
TA: 5.33 g/L
pH: 3.76
Fermentation: Grapes were destemmed and fully crushed. Natural primary and secondary (malolactic) fermentations.
Barrels: 70% American oak and 30% French oak (22% new, 20% one year old, and 50% two years old).
Aging: Eighteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested grapes; destemmed and fully crushed; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolatic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur (35 ppm at crush, 85 ppm during aging). In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Average Rating: 79.5

No. of Tasting Notes: 3

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