Puerta Del Mar is our little six-acre vineyard way out by Lompoc, even further west than the Sta. Rita Hills. Constant coastal breezes come up the last river bends here and make for mild days when it's warm just a short drive inland. The gentle ripening here provides a graceful, transparent pinot noir with great delicacy that draws you into the glass.
There's a gorgeous ruby red brilliance to this 2015. Woven into the juicy tapestry of cherry and red berry flavors are the familiar elements of the exotic vineyard character here: cardamom, palo santo, white pepper, orange peel and salty minerals. An appealing streak of danker forest-y aromas, like the peaty scent of a shaded Big Sur creek, brings some earthy ballast into the mix too.
Years of drought brought low yields to the site in 2015, as drought stressed our vineyards with salty buildup on the vine roots, putting quite a damper on vigor. So, this 2015 brings a nice bit of fruity gravity to the lifted, spicy appeal of this pinot noir.
It's a different kind of pinot noir than the sweet, black renditions your father got excited about years back, and that's a great thing! Puerta Del Mar offers radiant aromas and delicious food-friendly mineral tang just a perfect complement to a roast chicken, or cedar-plank grilled salmon if you feel like spoiling someone.