2016 Cortada Alta Vineyard Pinot Noir

August West's inaugural bottling of Cortada Alta is the 2016.  John Peterson's young vineyard had its first crop in 2016, and although it was tiny in quantity, the quality was superb.  This site is the highest in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, going up over 1,600 at the summit.  There are stunning views of the Salinas Valley everywhere at Cortada Alta.  Planted to a chef's selection of Pinot Noir clones, Cortada Alta is going to be a vineyard to watch in the near future. 

 

Our 2016 Cortada Alta Pinot Noir aged in one year old oak for 22 months, which is a long time for an August West Pinot to sit in barrel.  John hadn't decided on a name for the vineyard, so we thought we'd let the wine mature in oak and have it be ready soon after there was a name and a label for this new bottling.  After noticing a brilliant light purple color, you'll get a hint of Cortada Alta's ripe fruit mixed with toasty oak on the nose.  The palate is surprisingly fresh with young cherry fruit and a soft texture.  We expect this to be at its best from 2019 through 2024.

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