Wine Type: Central Coast Red
Pinot Noir ‘Las Alturas Vineyard’
Belle Glos, Santa Lucia Highlands 2005
Belle Glos is Caymus Vineyard's Pinot Noir division. If you are familiar with Caymus, progeny of Napa Valley pioneer Charles Wagner, even by reputation you'll know that it's legacy is for elegant, silky, sexy wines with opulent texture and fruit that lingers on the palate, evolving with each sip. This single vineyard Pinot Noir is from the Santa Lucia Highlands region, where Gary Pisoni has pioneered a sort of Pinot Noir revolution. It only stands to reason that if one were after the perfect Pinot Noir, they might want to situate there. Smart people, them Wagners.
- Price (bottle) ~ $125
Pinot Noir ‘Gary’s’ Vineyard’
Testarossa, Santa Lucia Highlands 2004
The Gary's are indeed two - Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni. Planted in 1997, these guys have a rep for growing the most coveted Pinot Noir (and Syrah) in California, bar none. They sell their grapes only to select vintners, friends and revered colleagues - Testarossa being one such. It's expensive for a reason: low cropped to less than 1.5 tons per acre, and hand cultivated by two of the craziest guys in the biz. This vineyard is considered to be one of California's 'grands crus' and the origin of the cuttings is also stuff of legend ... one which isn't talked about openly, but suffice to say there's another big reason the grapes are so good ...
- Price (bottle) ~ $175
Syrah Morgan
Syrah Morgan Monterey 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $53