2017 Estate Pinot Noir, 100% WHOLE CLUSTER, Santa Cruz Mountains
• The estate vineyard at Windy Oaks has a very long growing season, so it is possible to get the stems and seeds ripe at the same time as the grapes, enabling the winemaker to ferment using the ‘whole cluster,’ i.e., no destemming, producing a wine that is unique in flavor and elegance
• This latest version shows exciting fruit and floral aromatics along with fleshy density and a forward nature
• Dark garnet and ruby highlight the vintage with a touch of exotic warmth, silky medium/full body and a spicy complexity
• Starting with pretty rose petals, red berry and toasty oak notes it expresses itself on the palate with a hint of savory charm in the background to layers of black cherry, raspberry, sassafras and strawberry along with cinnamon stick, and smoky vanilla
• This wine is drinking great right away, but should be even more rewarding with 3 to 5 years of age
• Aged 21 months, 45% new French Oak, 144 cases, unfiltered and unfined
2017 Escolle Pinot Noir, SLH, FIRST TIME RELEASE
• The Escolle Vineyard, located next to Gary’s Vineyard at the northern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands, is quickly becoming one of SLH’s top vineyards
• This first release comes from several blocks that Windy Oaks leases, and demonstrates a fine sense of delicacy yet nuanced power
• The wine is highly aromatic, showing pot-pourri, conifer and dark red fruit plus a suggestion of roasted cocoa on the nose
• It is distinctive on the palate, redolent of macerated herbs, tangerine peel and dark red berries; with a broad mid-palate and round, but lively and intense, back palate and finish. An unusual juxtaposition of signals for maturity alongside youthful freshness
• Sure-footed, nuanced and elegant, this wine is drinking well now, but will age 10+ years
• Aged 23 months, 40% new French oak, 139 cases produced, unfiltered and unfined
2016 ‘Old Vine’ MOURVÈDRE, Chalone, Monterey County
• From legendary Chalone appellation, over 40-year old vines planted by Dick Graff
• Rich and velvety with notes of wild game, forest floor, chocolate/mocha and brambly red fruit
• Very smooth and seamless on the palate with supple tannins and lingering florality
• Age-worthy wine that can be enjoyed young, but will continue to improve with age
• Aged 26 months in new 600 L French oak barrel, 63 cases, unfiltered and unfined
FREE SHIPPING TO EVERYONE!
Wine Berserkers price is $121 (actual full retail is $161). If you’re a Windy Oaks Wine Group member, simply email Judy, and she’ll charge your account on file, and ship. If you’ve ordered previously, we most likely still have your info, so check with Judy before duplicating your efforts! If not a member, or you have not previously ordered from Windy Oaks (or your info has changed), email Judy, judy@windyoaksestate.com with name, shipping address, phone number, and cc info (you may send in two emails if you prefer); or call Judy at 831.724.9562—if no answer, simply leave your name and number and Judy will get back to you—it’s a password-protected voicemail.