2018 Andover Estate Pinot Noir

VINEYARDS

Nestled in the heart of Monterey wine country, Andover Estate is dedicated to sustainably growing grapes and handcrafting balanced, elegant wines that express the essence of the vineyards. The grapes for this Pinot Noir are grown on estate vineyards in the cool, rocky Arroyo Seco AVA of Monterey County. Each morning, cold marine air from the Monterey Bay drifts down the valley in a thick fog that burns off by midday. These unique conditions allow the grapes to mature slowly on the vine, leading to intense flavor development, heightened varietal character and lively acidity. 

WINEMAKING

The grapes were hand-picked in the early morning hours, brought to the winery and gently whole-cluster pressed. The juice was fermented in small lots in open-top fermenters using a punch-down regimen of three times per day to gently extract color and tannins. After fermentation, the must was gently pressed into a stainless steel tank for settling, then racked to 100% French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES

This Pinot Noir is bright, open and perfumed with intense aromatics and layers of ripe red fruit. Flavors of raspberries and cherries blend elegantly with underlying notes of vanilla from French oak aging. Medium-bodied with soft and silky tannins, the lingering finish delivers an elegant and graceful offering.