2018 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

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96 Points | North Coast Wine Competition | April 2021
93 Points | Sunset International Wine Competition | July 2020
Gold Medal | Sunset International Wine Competition | July 2020

Tasting Notes

This refreshingly juicy Pinot Noir pops with aromas of fresh black cherry, chai spice, and hints of sweet tobacco. The delicate palate caries a savory tone with an undercurrent of tangerine citrus and resplendent raspberry accents. A lighter structure and brighter acidity come together to create a quenching finish.

Vintage Notes

2018 provided an ideal climate allowing time for the grapes to ripen to their optimum flavor structure. The year presented a fairly mild growing season with few heat spikes, inspiring winemakers to push harvest back a few weeks. This longer time on the vine was great for grapes and the mild temperatures kept the fruit from over-ripening. More than an inch of rain fell in early October in many locations, but there was little impact on the quality of the fruit. 2018 could be remembered as one of the longest and most desirable seasons in years, producing exceptional quality grapes throughout Sonoma County.

Vineyard Notes

We source the fruit for this wine from vineyards in the Sonoma Coast region of the county. Due to the proximity to San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the Sonoma Coast area experiences many cool and foggy days during the summer months, resulting in small yields of flavorful fruit with balanced acidity. This wine showcases the distinct varietal character and supple features and texture.

Winemaker Notes

This Pinot was fermented using a combination of techniques, fusing both old and new world styles of winemaking. Each vineyard lot undergoes a slow 14-day ferment, with an extended maceration for up to 30 more days to allow flavor and texture to harmonize. The wine is then racked off into French oak barrels, 30% new, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation naturally. The wine is aged for 14 months before bottling.