Vineyard: Split Rail

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Many Exceptional Pinot Noirs Reviewed (10.28 4/2/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Wines (10.50 3/8/2017)
Recent Sips of Pinot Noir (9.40 4/17/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.24 1/17/2016)
More Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.46 6/17/2019)
More Sips of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (9.44 7/28/2014)
Goldeneye (11.2 4/18/2017)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Wines (9.32 10/26/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.3 1/22/2015)
California Pinot Noir Worth Toasting (11.20 3/15/2018)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Goldeneye Winery
Sante Arcangeli Family Wines

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Sante Arcangeli Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.60,, TA 0.63 175 cases, $49. Vineyard is located in Corralitos five miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. 20 to 30-year-old dry-farmed vines planted in gray sandstone and clay soils at 1700 feet elevation. Harvest Brix 23.0º-24.5º. Martini, Mt. Eden, Swan, 2A, 32, Pommard 4 and David Bruce selection. 95% de-stemmed., native and inoculated yeast fermentation, aged 10 months on lees in French oak barrels, 28% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of cherry anointed with oak-driven toast and burnt tobacco. Light in weight in a fresh and juicy style featuring red cherry and strawberry fruit flavors overlain with a pushy tobacco note. The silky personality appeals as does the slightly tart and quenching finish, but there is just too much oak at the forefront at this stage. More time in bottle may ameliorate some of the aggressive oak but this wine was unchanged when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 88. Reviewed March 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Goldeneye Split Rail Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 360 cases, $86. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 60% new, 20% second vintage, 20% neutral. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with vivacious aromas of black cherry and friendly oak. Welcome charm in this mid weight plus offering that offers a suave texture that satisfies. The black fruits are well ripened, accented with oak spice and framed by modest tannins. The wine has satisfying vibrancy that shows up on the juicy finish. There is slight alcoholic warmth on the finish. Score: 92. Reviewed June 19, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Sante Arcangeli Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

13.2% alc., pH 3.31, TA 0.72, 175 cases, $30. 60% Bald Mountain Vineyard (Bonny Doon) and 40% Split Rail Vineyard (Corralitos). Harvest Brix 21.5º-24.0º. Native and proprietary yeast fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 14% new. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Enticing aromas of lemon, hazelnut, bread dough and yeast. Sleek and mouthwatering on the palate, with flavors of citrus, honey, poached pear, caramel and brioche. Beautifully composed in a bright and lip-smacking style, that finishes with good cut and plenty of citrus goodness. This wine confirms my conviction that the Santa Cruz Mountains is one of the best wine regions in California for Chardonnay. Score: 93. Reviewed March 6, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Goldeneye Split Rail Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 342 cases, $84. 16 blocks and 9 clones in this vineyard located in the heart of the Anderson Valley. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reserved, but gracious aromas of mixed berries, piney oak and a subtle floral note. Darker fruits are featured on the mid weight palate. Straight forward, fruity and pleasant with harmonious tannins, but not complex at this stage. Still reserved when tasted from an open bottle several hours later. Should be cellared for a year or two. Score: 91. Reviewed March 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Sante Arcangeli Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.62, 175 cases, $45. This vineyard is located at 1,700 feet elevation on a Corralitos mountaintop. David Bruce selection, clone 32, Pommard, Swan, Martini, and Wädenswil. Harvest Brix 23.0º-23.8º. 90% de-stemmed, native and cultured yeast fermentations, aged on the lees in 30% new French oak barrels with weekly batonnage for 3 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Ebullient aromas of cherry, raspberry, spice, rose petal and toasty oak. The light to mid weight cherry and raspberry flavors are enhanced with a waft of oak. The wine has good energy, integrated ripe tannins, a silky mouthfeel and a lip-smacking finish. Score: 90. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Goldeneye Split Rail Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.82, TA 0.50, 350 cases, $84. Harvest Brix 24.5º. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 60% new and 40% neutral. Made from clones “828” and 777. Typically structured and savory. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Complex nose offering aromas of dark red berries, mushroom, mocha, and toast. Delicious attack of vivid dark red and black berry fruits along with hints of black tea, rose and spice. The oak barrel treatment is expressed as toast and bbq, and the tannins, most prominent among all the single vineyard offerings lead to a modest astringent message on the finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the tannins had softened indicating further time in the cellar will be beneficial. Cellaring will not only ameliorate the tannins but also further integrate the oak. Score: 92. Reviewed April 19, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Goldeneye Ten Degrees Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.51, 1,175 cases, $120. This wine is made from the finest barrels of wine, the top 5% of estate Pinot Noir, blended for both power and elegance. Four estate vineyards. Aged 16 months in 100% new medium toast French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. This wine is quite reserved upon opening and only brought it when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Deep fruit aromas of ripe strawberry, blackberry and blueberry-pomegranate fruits paired with a compliment of toasty brioche. Polished, sophisticated and seductive on the palate with an array of opulent purple fruits backed by silky tannins. The fruit load is expansive in the mouth, and propels the long, long, long finish to a glorious climax. I have tasted several vintages of this special wine, and this one falls in line as far as taste, but it offers a little more vibrancy and juiciness than in the past. Best to cellar this wine for a couple of years, but if you must open it sooner, by all means decant. Score: 94. Reviewed April 19, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Sante Arcangeli Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.59, 370 cases, $36. This vineyard is located at 1,700 feet elevation on a Corralitos mountaintop. Clones include Martini, Wädenswil, Mt. Eden, Swan, 32 and Pommard 4. Harvest Brix 22.5º-24.5º. 100% de-stemmed, aged sur lie with battonage for 10 months in 95% French and 5% Hungarian oak barrels of which 30% were new and 70% were used. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light cherry color in the glass. Lovely nose with alluring aromas of Bing cherry, sandalwood and spice cabinet. A delightful wine that is deep on the palate with an impressive attack of fleshy dark cherry, black raspberry and spice flavors complimented by a subtle vein of savory herbs in the background. The fine-grain, slightly weighty tannins provide good structure, and the persistent finish brings waves of vivid, flamboyant fruit. Score: 94. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Goldeneye Ten Degrees Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 1,035 cases, $120. Released February 2016. A selection of the finest barrels in the cellar, from the best lots and top estate blocks. The final wine was made from the best 3% of estate grapes and includes 32% Split Rail Vineyard, 32% Gowan Creek Vineyard, 31% Confluence Vineyard, and 5% The Narrows Vineyard. Aged 16 months in 100% French oak barrels (this bottling has the most new oak of the three 2013 Pinot Noirs reviewed here). · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of dark berry preserves, dark red rose petal and earth lead to a full charge of chewy black fruits. The wine enters aggressively but turns agreeable and silken on the palate, finishing with generous amounts of toothsome fruit, leathery beef and toasted oak notes. The wine is a bit impenetrable and not as expressive as the Gowan Creek at this stage and warrants further cellaring. Score: 92-93. Reviewed April 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Santa Arcangeli “Selezione Susie” Family Reserve Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.65, 50 cases. David Bruce selection and Roederer clone 32. Harvest Brix 23.5º. 20% whole cluster. Aged 10 months on lees in French oak barrels, 60% new. · Moderate reddish purple color with slight rim bricking in the glass. A full flight of aromas build in intensity over time in the glass showing off black cherry, dried rose petal, raspberry, spice, burnt tobacco and nutty oak. The cherry fruit is still showy without dryness, and the earthy, underground tone gives the wine character. The tannins are nicely integrated. A bit of oak intercedes on the slightly tart but refreshing finish. Drink now to 2000. (Reviewed October 2013, score 90). Score: 91. Reviewed March 6, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Santa Arcangeli Family Wines Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Rosé of Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.61, 50 cases, $25. A combination of David Bruce selection and UCD 32 (a traditional sparkling wine clone) from a vineyard in the southern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains known as Corralitos. Grapes were specifically selected for this wine (not a saignée), 100% de-stemmed, pressed off the skins after 24 hours. Fermented in neutral Ermitage oak barrels with indigenous and inoculated yeasts. Aged 7 months on the lees with monthly battonage. Racked once, cold stabilized and filtered for clarity at bottling. · Moderately deep pinkish-red color and clear in the glass. The nose offers the fresh scent of strawberry, rose petal, bark and nutty oak. The flavors of strawberry, cherry, red currant and oak spice are satisfying and persist on the dry finish which has a bite of acidity and a hint of heat. Score: 86. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Sante Arcangeli Family Wines Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.65, 245 cases, $36. the vineyard is located 1,700 feet above Monterey Bay in Corralitos. An unusual combination of David Bruce selection, UCD 32 (Roederer clone) and Pommard clone. Harvest Brix 23º-25º. 10% whole cluster inclusion. Native and AMH yeast fermentation. Aged 10 months in 90% French and 10% Hungarian oak barrels, 50% new and 50% used. Bottled unfiltered in August 2013. · Light reddish purple color in the glass. Gentle aromas of cherry, strawberry and baking spices lead to a light, elegantly styled wine with flavors of cherry, raspberry and strawberry complimented by hints of cola, herbs and oak. Bright and juicy with charming Pinot modesty. Score: 90. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Sante Arcangeli Family Reserve Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc.,pH 3.65, 75 cases, $40. David Bruce selection, UCD 23 (Roederer) clone and Pommard. Harvested at 23.5º Brix. 20% whole cluster. Fermented, cellared and bottled separately from other lots. 20% whole cluster. Aged on the lees 10 months in 60% new French oak barrels. Unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Inviting array of aromas including cherry, cranberry, potpourri, oak spice and cinnamon. A gentle, ethereal styled wine with enough cherry, sassafras and spice to satisfy. There is significant palate presence of oak but it is hard to complain about this polished, well-perfumed offering. Score: 90. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Goldeneye Ten Degrees Estate Grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 579 cases, $115. Drawn from the best blocks and barrels from estate vineyards, it is made up of the top 1.5% of estate grown Pinot Noir. The wine is a result of more than 50 trial blends of wines from Gowan Creek, Confluence and Split Rail vineyards (96 blocks and 49 combinations of clones and rootstocks). · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, sweet oak and rose petal build in intensity over time in the glass. Juicy and bright on the palate, with a special energy and vibe, featuring an array of berry and stone fruits complimented by oak. This wine has the structure and balance to age ten years and beyond. A connoisseur’s wine of uncommon grace and composition that easily justifies its lofty price. Score: 94. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »