2018 Garys' Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir demands the most from winegrower and winemaker. Here, a great vineyard and classic winemaking are perfectly matched.
Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni went to high school together and have teamed up in this joint-venture vineyard to grow great Pinot in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Garys’ Vineyard is situated four miles south of our own Double L property. The 50 acre vineyard was planted in ‘97 to the “Pisoni” clone of Pinot Noir, and has subsequently gained a reputation for producing some of California’s most sought after wines.
The grapes were completely destemmed after hand sorting, and fermented with native yeast in open top tanks. Manual punch downs provided supple texture and soft tannins. The wine was transferred to a combination of medium and medium-plus toast Burgundy barrels, 40% new, for malo-lactic fermentation and 10 months of aging.
Dan Lee and Sam Smith have fashioned a rare Pinot, demonstrating classic Garys’ structure and elegance. The nose of blackberry, snickerdoodle cookie, and sassafras are echoed on the palate by flavors of cola with red and black fruits.
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94 Points
"Deep magenta. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, allspice, cola, potpourri and succulent herbs, and a hint of smokiness builds in the glass. Densely packed yet lively in style, offering palate-coating black raspberry, boysenberry, candied rose and mocha flavors that turn sweeter through the midpalate. Finishes impressively long, smooth and spicy, with polished tannins framing lingering red berry preserve and floral pastille notes. All de-stemmed fruit and 40% new French oak." - Josh Raynolds, October 2020
93 Points
"Classic cool-climate Pinot Noir notes of black cherries, sappy flowers, forest floor, and menthol emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard, another elegant, medium-bodied, classy wine in this lineup with plenty to love. It's going to keep for 5-7 years or more, but it's certainly beautiful today as well." - Jeb Dunnuck, January 2021
93 Points
"Enticing and penetrating aromas of dark cherry, pomegranate, sandalwood and savory spices. Mid weight plus in heft, with highly flavorful black cherry, black raspberry and molasses flavors. Nicely balanced with integrated tannins and an extended finish. The most powerfully flavored of the 2018 Morgan Pinot Noirs tasted." - Rusty Gaffney, October 2020