This vintage of El Pico is balanced and beautifully extracted with aromas of strawberry jam, cherry and vanilla. There is a hint of cotton candy along with traces of cinnamon throughout the wine. The crisp, clean fruit matches well with silky sweet oak tannins. The oak provides a nice backbone, but does not over power the balanced acidity. This medium bodied Pinot finishes with delightful strawberry notes.
APPELLATION:
SLO Coast
VINEYARD SOURCE:
Green Gate and Spanish Springs – Clone and single block selections
VINEYARD CERTIFICATION:
SIP Certified Sustainable
CLONES:
115, 4 (Pommard), 943
SOILS:
Diablo series, clay loam, rocky marine sediment, volcanic remnants
HARVEST DATES:
September 2021
FERMENTATION:
Open top fermentation at 78˚F for 13-17 days
BARREL REGIME:
Aged in 40% new French oak barrels for 9 months
ALCOHOL:
14%
TA:
5.78 g/l
PH:
3.57
BOTTLING DATE:
July 2022
CASES PRODUCED:
239
The 2021 growing season featured a mild summer which allowed the grapes to ripen slowly. Heat waves and rain spells were limited, and the harvest was slow and cool. As a result, this vintage shows exceptional quality and elegance.