Dec 30, 2022
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Dept C Wines
| Owner(s) | Ian Bunje, Stephen Silva, Jonathan Smiga |
| Web site | www.deptcwines.com |
| Link to this site |
Stephen Silva (winemaker), Ian Bunje (general manager) and Jonathan Smiga (sales and marketing) released a single Pinot Noir from the 2007 vintage from Paraiso Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Additional Pinot Noir bottlings from family-owned vineyards followed in the 2008 and 2009 vintages.
The wines may be ordered online.
Articles About Dept C Wines
Reviewed Wines
2011 dept. C Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.60, $30. From the Paraiso
Estate, clones 115 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, inoculated with RC 212 and Assmanhausen yeasts. Aged 11
months in 15% new French oak barrels before a single racking before bottling.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in
the glass. First bottle showed aromas of fermented fruit and overripe melon (acetaldehyde). Decent core of
dark red and black fruits, slightly sweet and candied in character, backed by caramelized oak, mild tannins and
citrusy acidity. A flawed wine. Second bottle showed aromas of blackberries, plum and apple core (a hint of
acetaldehyde). The dark fruit core was rich and very soft in the mouth and more appealing. Easy to drink with
supple tannins and complimentary oak in the background. Very slight fault, but decent.
Reviewed April 13, 2013
ARTICLE »
2011 dept. C Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir
12.8% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.56, $42. Clone
115. 100% de-stemmed, aged 11 months in 25% new French oak barrels.
·
Light reddish-purple color in the
glass. Delicate aromas of red cherries, allspice and rose petals. Very light and demure cherry flavor with a
trace of tarry oak and a green thread running through. Very soft tannins. Decent.
Reviewed April 13, 2013
ARTICLE »
2009 Dept C Paraiso Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, $35. Clone
777, de-stemmed. Aged in second year and neutral oak barrels.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the
glass. Aromas of dark red cherries and berries with a hint of toasty oak, fading in the glass over time. A
delicate wine with demure flavors of cherries and strawberries and subtle oak. Decent.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Dept C Vista Verde Vineyard San Benito County Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.55, $40. This
producer crafts small lots of Pinot Noir from family farmed vineyards. Pommard clone from a vineyard block
planted in 1988. 10% whole cluster. Aged in 20% new oak.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass.
Brooding nose with demure scent of black cherry and oak. Nicely flavored with discreetly concentrated black
cherry and raspberry essence supported by restrained oak. Supple tannins with a dry finish. Source: website.
Good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Dept C Paraiso Old Vines Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., about 600 cases, $36.
·
Quite an elegant offering from the Santa Lucia Highlands featuring dark stone fruits, charming mouth feel, and lively acidity on the bright finish. Tasted in a restaurant and I was quite impressed, especially for the reasonable tariff.
Reviewed June 19, 2010
2011 dept. C Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.60, $30. From the Paraiso Estate, clones 115 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, inoculated with RC 212 and Assmanhausen yeasts. Aged 11 months in 15% new French oak barrels before a single racking before bottling. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. First bottle showed aromas of fermented fruit and overripe melon (acetaldehyde). Decent core of dark red and black fruits, slightly sweet and candied in character, backed by caramelized oak, mild tannins and citrusy acidity. A flawed wine. Second bottle showed aromas of blackberries, plum and apple core (a hint of acetaldehyde). The dark fruit core was rich and very soft in the mouth and more appealing. Easy to drink with supple tannins and complimentary oak in the background. Very slight fault, but decent. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »
2011 dept. C Chileno Valley Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir
12.8% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.56, $42. Clone 115. 100% de-stemmed, aged 11 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · Light reddish-purple color in the glass. Delicate aromas of red cherries, allspice and rose petals. Very light and demure cherry flavor with a trace of tarry oak and a green thread running through. Very soft tannins. Decent. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »
2009 Dept C Paraiso Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.59, $35. Clone 777, de-stemmed. Aged in second year and neutral oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red cherries and berries with a hint of toasty oak, fading in the glass over time. A delicate wine with demure flavors of cherries and strawberries and subtle oak. Decent. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Dept C Vista Verde Vineyard San Benito County Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.55, $40. This producer crafts small lots of Pinot Noir from family farmed vineyards. Pommard clone from a vineyard block planted in 1988. 10% whole cluster. Aged in 20% new oak. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Brooding nose with demure scent of black cherry and oak. Nicely flavored with discreetly concentrated black cherry and raspberry essence supported by restrained oak. Supple tannins with a dry finish. Source: website. Good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Dept C Paraiso Old Vines Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., about 600 cases, $36. · Quite an elegant offering from the Santa Lucia Highlands featuring dark stone fruits, charming mouth feel, and lively acidity on the bright finish. Tasted in a restaurant and I was quite impressed, especially for the reasonable tariff. Reviewed June 19, 2010