2018 Tondré Pinot Noir
Whether drawing upon our own vineyards or working with exceptional neighboring properties, our winemaking team has a long track record of crafting world-class Pinot Noir.
Tondré Grapefield has earned a reputation as one of the Santa Lucia Highlands’ top vineyards. Well-drained hillside soils and crop size limited by afternoon fog and cool breezes are a recipe for great Pinot Noir. Tondré Grapefield is the result of Tondré Alarid’s desire to establish a vineyard, and his son Joe’s resolve to produce ultra-premium wine grapes.
The grapes were completely destemmed after hand sorting. Manual punch downs produced a wine with supple texture and soft tannins. The wine was transferred to 40% new French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and 11 months of aging.
On the nose is raspberry gummy candy, highlighted by allspice and forest floor. Red and black fruits are framed by a medium body with soft tannins, making this wine extremely food friendly. Grilled salmon, roast chicken, or Beef Bourguignon are all great pairings.
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93 Points
"Deep, brilliant red. Intensely perfumed raspberry, cherry cola, exotic spice and potpourri aromas are complemented by a hint of smoky minerality that builds in the glass. Densely packed and appealingly sweet, showing impressive depth and fine definition to the sappy red berry preserve, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors. Gains power with air and finishes very long and energetic, the smooth tannins harmonizing with the vibrant, spice-accented fruit."
- Josh Raynolds, October 2020
92 Points
"The 2018 Pinot Noir Tondre Grapefield has plenty of both red and black fruits as well as textbook Pinot notes of forest floor, autumn leaves, savory spice, and violets. Nicely textured, with bright, juicy acidity, notable overall balance, and a great finish, I'd be happy to drink a bottle any time over the coming 5-7 years." - Jeb Dunnuck, January 2021
91 Points
"Enthralling nose with vibrant aromas of cherry, baking spices and sandalwood. Lighter weighted in this vintage, with a core of red cherry and red berry fruits framed by caramel oak. Very charming in style with soft tannins and good length on the finish..." - Rusty Gaffney, October 2020
91 Points
"Soft earthy nose; lush, smooth and spicy with juicy berry fruit; earthy, minerally and long."
- Anthony Dias Blue, July 2020