2004 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

Filed in archive California Wines on August 23, 2006

After reading this review by Ben Pierce, for the 2004 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, which he picked up for a mere $15 at his local Costco, I became curious and did a little web surfing until I happened upon the Greg Norman Estates web site.

So, that's what Greg Norman has been up to these days. Who'd a thunk it!

Any way, here are the tasting notes and spec on this vintage:

TASTING NOTES:

The finished wine has floral scents and flavors of black cherry, plum and strawberry jam. Hints of black pepper, tamarind and vanilla resonate in a smooth, soft and savory finish.

VINEYARDS:

The appellation's lengthy growing season makes Santa Barbara County a perfect place to grow balanced and concentrated pinot noir grapes. The coastal climate is key--it is just warm enough that the fruit fully ripens; yet not too hot that vegetal undertones appear. The welldraining sandstone and limestone soils consistently produce small berries that are richly concentrated with colors and flavors.

WINEMAKING:

The berries were cold-soaked upon arrival at the winery, then fermented in open-top fermenters for about seven days. In order to preserve the ripe, powerful fruit in the wine, he aged it in French oak barrels for about six months, with only 20 percent of them new.

WINEMAKAER: Ron Schrieve

TECHNICAL DETAILS:

Alcohol: 14.2%
pH: 3.63
Total Acidity: 0.69 g/100ml
Harvest Date: August to October 2004

Unfortunately, I'm not a Costco kind of gal. It's all I can do to force myself in my local Sam's once a year to Chirstmas shop. I just hate big stores like this. However, maybe I'll luck out and find this at my local grocer. I'm going to keep an eye out for it.