2021 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

BACK

97 Pts | North Coast Wine Challenge | April 2023
Double Gold | North Coast Wine Challenge | April 2023
Best of Class | North Coast Wine Challenge | April 2023
92 Points | Wine Enthusiast | February 2023
Best of Class | San Francisco Chronicle Competition | January 2023

Tasting Notes

Expressive and aromatic with bright fruit flavors of red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate that are balanced with spicy notes of dried orange peel and sandalwood. Fresh acidity from start to smooth finish shows off the wine’s vibrancy.

Vintage Notes

Our 2021 harvest began just a little earlier than last year, with the first fruit picked on August 18. Limited rainfall during the growing season produced slightly lighter crops but brought intense, concentrated flavor and color. Free from lingering heat waves, the consistent weather during the summer months helped maintain fruit acidity for brightness and balance. Harvest continued through the middle of October when we picked the last red grapes from our estate Lagomarsino Vineyard.

Vineyard Notes

We source our Pinot Noir fruit from vineyards located in the cooler areas of Sonoma County, including Russian River Valley and Bennett Valley. These areas experience a marine influence from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay as cool air, fog, and wind roll in at night during the summer, dropping temperatures substantially. This natural air-conditioning is ideal for Pinot Noir as it allows the grapes to develop deep flavors while retaining natural acidity.

Winemaker Notes

To capture the distinct varietal characteristics of each vineyard, the lots are fermented separately, starting with a five to ten-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor. After a long, slow fermentation, the wine is racked off into French Oak barrels, 20% new, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation followed by aging for eight months before blending and bottling.