Vineyard: Lafond

OwnerPierre Lafond
AppellationSta. Rita Hills
Storywww.lafondwinery.com
VarietiesChardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 Ken Brown Duncan’s Cuvée Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.54, 277 cases, $40. 7% Rio Vista, 14% Radian and 9% LaFond vineyards. 100% de-stemmed, cold soak, aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 28% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Love the nose on this beauty with its bright aromas of cherry, strawberry, mushroom, and sous-bois. A forward drinking mid weight wine propelled by a luscious red fruit core underlain with the right touch of oak spice. Harmonious, with a sleek demeanor and a quenching, pleasing finish. Score: 92. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Windrun Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.67, 479 cases, $33. A blend of 5 clones from the Lafond Vineyard (Pommard, 115, 777, “828,” and 667). 100% de-stemmed, fermented in open tanks. Aged in neutral 500-liter puncheons for 10 months with complete malolactic fermentation in barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry jam and woodland lead to a full-bodied charge of blackberry and black raspberry fruit flavors with an earthy undertone. The prodigious fruit is framed by bold tannins that stick out a bit on the finish. A fruit-driven wine that is a bit one-dimensional, and the wine’s devilish tannins supersede the acidity. That said, the fruit is ripe and luscious, and the fruit intensity really holds on to the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed February 5, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Lafond Vineyards Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 3,500 cases, $24. Lafond Winery & Vineyards is one of the Santa Rita Hills oldest wineries, established in 1972. The winery and tasting room is quite picturesque. · The aromas start out with barnyard and hay changing with time to a more mysterious composition of dark red fruits and anise. Sweet Jolly Rancher fruit dominates with cinnamon and chocolate notes. Elegant in style and readily appealing. Reviewed November 12, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Lafond Vineyards Clone 777 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 164 cases, $38. · Clone 777 is considered a complete clone in the sense that it can often make a good wine on its own. This wine has the typical black fruit profile of 777 with nice integration of oak and alcohol. The finish shows a tangy acidic edge. Reviewed July 23, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »