Top-Notch Pinot Value
2010 Presqu'ile Pinot Noir
Santa Maria Valley
Two Words: Stock Up
The Santa Maria Valley is a special place. It's a bizarre pocket where the choosy Pinot Noir grape finds a rare sweet spot.
To the east, over the mountains, is the Mojave Desert, one of the hottest places in America. The cold, fog-spewing Pacific Ocean is to the west. In the middle is the Santa Maria Valley. It has a nearly ideal balance of cool ocean air and California sunshine - perfect for growing Pinot Noir.
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The value here is undeniable - top-notch Pinot at the $40 price point is elusive.
We've been closely watching Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir for years. The potential here is impressive, and in the 2010 Presqu'ile we found something that delivers on it.
The Presqu'ile style is defined by super-silky, dark red Pinot fruit with a vibrant backbone, which is complicated by complex layers of spices. The first thing that jumps out is the wine's freshness, energy and lift which, along with thoughtful winemaking, reflect Santa Maria Valley's unique situation.
For almost the entirety of the West Coast, the mountains run north/south, effectively blocking the cool ocean air from moving inland. This breaks down in the Santa Maria Valley where the mountains shift to an east/west orientation for a brief period. The east/west orientation allows cool air to pour into the valley, allowing nearly ideal ripening conditions for Pinot.
This is the secret of Presqu'ile's Pinot - the long, fairly cool growing season allows for concentration and freshness. The wine walks a tightrope of ripe, luscious Pinot fruit with a bright, firm spine - a really impressive feat. It clocks in at 13.6% alcohol. This is a perfect zone for New World Pinot.
If I could sum things up in two words, I'd say "stock up."
This is the perfect wine to have on hand in good quantity for cocktail parties, dinners or just a casual glass. The wine is just that good.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Robert Schagrin
Managing Partner
Crush Wine & Spirits
2010 Presqu'ile Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
Compare at up to $60
Josh Raynolds for Stephen Tanzer: "(made with 80% whole clusters): Bright ruby-red. Spicy cherry and black raspberry on the perfumed nose, with complicating notes of black pepper and spicecake. Chewy, taut red fruit flavors show very good depth and gain depth with air. Silky tannins build on the taut, juicy, spice-accented finish."
2010 Presqu'ile Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley arrives 4/29
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