2016 Waxwing Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 104 cases, $45. Released March 2018. A blend of grapes from Lester Family Vineyard and Larry’s Vineyard. Clones 115 and 667. 25% of fruit foot stomped whole cluster and the rest de-stemmed into small open-top fermenting bins. 5-day cold soak, vigorous punch downs, and aging in once-used French oak barrels for 15 months. Bottled with a light filtration. · oderately light garnet color in the glass. Nice Pinot perfume of strawberry, raspberry, spice and bark. A demure, but flavorful, lighter weighted wine featuring well-spiced red fruits with dollop of oak in the background. Elegantly composed, with gentle tannins, a good cut of acidity and some finishing purpose. Score: 90. Reviewed April 15, 2018

Winery: Waxwing Wine Cellars
From article: Recent Sips of California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay