Dec 30, 2022
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Clarice
| Owner(s) | Adam Lee |
| Link to this site |
Articles About Clarice
Clarice & Beau Marchais: Winemaker Adam Lee’s Newest Ventures (12.16 3/21/2021)
Clarice Wine Company: An Innovative Approach to Crafting and Marketing Wine (11.46 6/17/2019)
Elite California Pinot Noir Vineyards Part III: Central Coast - Santa Lucia Highlands (12.22 9/18/2021)
Pinot Briefs (11.33 11/2/2018)
Pinot Briefs (11.41 3/22/2019)
Reviewed Wines
2018 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.08% alc., pH 3.64, TA
0.59. 76.2% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 72.7% new.
·
Moderately dark
garnet color in the glass. Deep, dark and mysterious aromas of black fruits with an earthy tone. A
little more fruit concentration and structure than the Rosella’s and not as welcoming at this stage.
Still, the flamboyant fruit has charm, the suede tannins add textural seduction and the finish goes
on and on and on. Still stellar when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle 5 days
after opening. Cellaring will be beneficial, but this will always be the baddest boy in the three wine
lineup.
Score: 95.
Reviewed June 18, 2019
ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.08% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.59, screw cap.
76% whole cluster fermented. 7-day cold soak (during which time 20% of the juice was bled off to concentrate
the must), indigenous primary and malolactic fermentation. Aged in 73% new French oak barrels. Bottled
without fining or filtration.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of black raspberry,
boysenberry and strawberry tart. A typical Garys’ Pinot Noir with oodles of deeply-flavored black cherry, black
raspberry and blackberry fruits framed by soft, non-aggressive tannins. Less acid, but more power and
structure than the Rosella’s wine. Sleek and comforting in the mouth with a robust and lengthy finish.
Score: 93.
Reviewed March 21, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.05% alc., pH 3.64, TA
0.64. 80.8% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 72.7% new.
·
Moderate garnet
color in the glass. The most appealing and seductive aromatic profile among the 2017 and 2018
wines. Whole cluster inspired aromas of dark cherry, burnt tobacco, pine sap and spice. Engaging
core of mid weight plus dark red fruits framed by fine-grain tannins. This wine is bursting with fruit
goodness, yet there is a compatible contribution of tannins to hold the wine in perfect balance.
Absolutely glorious when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle 5 days later. The
finish seems to stick like glue to the palate.
Score: 97.
Reviewed June 18, 2019
ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.64, screw
cap. 20% of juice was bled off at the time of cold soak. 81% whole cluster fermented, indigenous primary and
malolactic fermentation, aged in 73% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass.
Appealing aromas of dark berries, spice drawer, new leather and warm brioche. Noticeable freshness in a
middleweight style with flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and a hint of mocha. Lithe tannins with upbeat
acidity and a thirst quenching finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed March 21, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
13.98% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.62,. 62.5% Garys’
Vineyard and 37.5% Rosella’s Vineyard. 77.9% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak
barrels, 37.5% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry and berry with
exotic spices. A mid weight assortment of dark fruits saturate the mid palate and carry over
through a generous finish. A tad more tannin than the 2017 bottling presumably due to the
increased whole cluster but when tasted on the fifth day after opening, the tannins had modulated.
Score: 94.
Reviewed June 18, 2019
ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.62, screw cap. A blend of fruit
from Garys’ Vineyard (63%) and Rosella’s Vineyard (37%). 78% whole cluster fermented. Indigenous primary
and malolactic fermentation. Aged in 37.5% French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass.
Aromas of dark cherry, ripe strawberry and brioche lead to a mid-weight styled wine with good length of flavors
that include ripe strawberry and black cherry. A solid wine with welcoming juicy acidity, a winning silky texture
and buried tannins, only lacking in finishing impact.
Score: 91.
Reviewed March 21, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.08% alc., $85, screw cap. 76.2% whole
cluster fermented. Aged in 72.7% French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Deep, dark
and mysterious aromas of black fruits with an earthy tone. A little more concentrations and structure than the
Rosella’s and not as welcoming at this stage. Still, the flamboyant fruit has charm, the suede tannins add
textural seduction and the finish goes on and on and on.Still stellar when tasted from a previously opened
bottle five days after opening. Cellaring will be beneficial, but this will always be the baddest boy in the three
2018 Clarice Pinot Noir lineup. Reviewed June 18, 2019.
Score: 95.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.69. Screw cap. 54%
whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels,
66.6% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enticing
aromas of dark cherry and spice box. A tad richer and
more structured than the Rosella’s bottling. Exquisitely
composed with a wide range of dark fruit flavors and a
touch of spice. There is a good acidic vibe and the finish is amazingly
long. When tasted from a previously opened bottle after 4 days, the
wine was still superb but will be even more rewarding in a few years.
Score: 96.
Reviewed June 18, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., pH 3.39, TA
0.72. Screw cap. 58% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 83.3% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass Deep aromas of red cherry and berry, cola, spice and
sweet pipe smoke. A terrific wine with a plethora of dark red and blue fruits and a savory thread in
a soft, sleek and satisfying package. The wine has impressive energy, merged tannins and a very
lengthy finish. Wonderful now, but will age beautifully. Still grand when tasted 4 days later from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 94.
Reviewed June 18, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.44% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.72. Screw cap.
85.7% Rosella’s Vineyard and 14.3% Garys’ Vineyard. 57% whole cluster fermented. Aged in
French oak barrels, 42.8% new. Combines the structure of Garys’ Vineyard with the fruit-forward
character of Rosella’s Vineyard.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Lovely perfume of
cherry, blueberry, rose petal, mushroom and dusty oak. Suave in the mouth with good energy,
offering mid weight flavors of black cherry and spice. The explosion of fruit raises the senses.
Nicely composed with a memorable finish. Re-tasted 4 days after opening the bottle with similar
results and the finish again making an impression. I agree with Adam on this wine in that it is not a lesser
appellation wine but rather a different expression of the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Score: 94.
Reviewed June 18, 2019
ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $80, screw cap. This project
from winemaker Adam Lee is named after his teetotaling grandmother Clarice. 54% whole cluster fermented.
Aged in 66.6% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of dark cherry and
spice box. A tad richer and more structured than the Rosella’s bottling. Exquisitely composed with a wide range
of dark fruit flavors and a touch of spice. There is a good acidic vibe and the finish is amazingly long. When
tasted from a previously opened bottle after 4 days, the wine was still superb but will be even more rewarding
in a few years. Reviewed June 18, 2019.
Score: 96.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.08% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.59. 76.2% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 72.7% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Deep, dark and mysterious aromas of black fruits with an earthy tone. A little more fruit concentration and structure than the Rosella’s and not as welcoming at this stage. Still, the flamboyant fruit has charm, the suede tannins add textural seduction and the finish goes on and on and on. Still stellar when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle 5 days after opening. Cellaring will be beneficial, but this will always be the baddest boy in the three wine lineup. Score: 95. Reviewed June 18, 2019 ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.08% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.59, screw cap. 76% whole cluster fermented. 7-day cold soak (during which time 20% of the juice was bled off to concentrate the must), indigenous primary and malolactic fermentation. Aged in 73% new French oak barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of black raspberry, boysenberry and strawberry tart. A typical Garys’ Pinot Noir with oodles of deeply-flavored black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry fruits framed by soft, non-aggressive tannins. Less acid, but more power and structure than the Rosella’s wine. Sleek and comforting in the mouth with a robust and lengthy finish. Score: 93. Reviewed March 21, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.05% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.64. 80.8% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 72.7% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The most appealing and seductive aromatic profile among the 2017 and 2018 wines. Whole cluster inspired aromas of dark cherry, burnt tobacco, pine sap and spice. Engaging core of mid weight plus dark red fruits framed by fine-grain tannins. This wine is bursting with fruit goodness, yet there is a compatible contribution of tannins to hold the wine in perfect balance. Absolutely glorious when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle 5 days later. The finish seems to stick like glue to the palate. Score: 97. Reviewed June 18, 2019 ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.64, screw cap. 20% of juice was bled off at the time of cold soak. 81% whole cluster fermented, indigenous primary and malolactic fermentation, aged in 73% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Appealing aromas of dark berries, spice drawer, new leather and warm brioche. Noticeable freshness in a middleweight style with flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and a hint of mocha. Lithe tannins with upbeat acidity and a thirst quenching finish. Score: 92. Reviewed March 21, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
13.98% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.62,. 62.5% Garys’ Vineyard and 37.5% Rosella’s Vineyard. 77.9% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 37.5% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry and berry with exotic spices. A mid weight assortment of dark fruits saturate the mid palate and carry over through a generous finish. A tad more tannin than the 2017 bottling presumably due to the increased whole cluster but when tasted on the fifth day after opening, the tannins had modulated. Score: 94. Reviewed June 18, 2019 ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.62, screw cap. A blend of fruit from Garys’ Vineyard (63%) and Rosella’s Vineyard (37%). 78% whole cluster fermented. Indigenous primary and malolactic fermentation. Aged in 37.5% French oak barrels. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry, ripe strawberry and brioche lead to a mid-weight styled wine with good length of flavors that include ripe strawberry and black cherry. A solid wine with welcoming juicy acidity, a winning silky texture and buried tannins, only lacking in finishing impact. Score: 91. Reviewed March 21, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.08% alc., $85, screw cap. 76.2% whole cluster fermented. Aged in 72.7% French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Deep, dark and mysterious aromas of black fruits with an earthy tone. A little more concentrations and structure than the Rosella’s and not as welcoming at this stage. Still, the flamboyant fruit has charm, the suede tannins add textural seduction and the finish goes on and on and on.Still stellar when tasted from a previously opened bottle five days after opening. Cellaring will be beneficial, but this will always be the baddest boy in the three 2018 Clarice Pinot Noir lineup. Reviewed June 18, 2019. Score: 95. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.69. Screw cap. 54% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 66.6% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of dark cherry and spice box. A tad richer and more structured than the Rosella’s bottling. Exquisitely composed with a wide range of dark fruit flavors and a touch of spice. There is a good acidic vibe and the finish is amazingly long. When tasted from a previously opened bottle after 4 days, the wine was still superb but will be even more rewarding in a few years. Score: 96. Reviewed June 18, 2019 ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.72. Screw cap. 58% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 83.3% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass Deep aromas of red cherry and berry, cola, spice and sweet pipe smoke. A terrific wine with a plethora of dark red and blue fruits and a savory thread in a soft, sleek and satisfying package. The wine has impressive energy, merged tannins and a very lengthy finish. Wonderful now, but will age beautifully. Still grand when tasted 4 days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 94. Reviewed June 18, 2019 ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.44% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.72. Screw cap. 85.7% Rosella’s Vineyard and 14.3% Garys’ Vineyard. 57% whole cluster fermented. Aged in French oak barrels, 42.8% new. Combines the structure of Garys’ Vineyard with the fruit-forward character of Rosella’s Vineyard. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Lovely perfume of cherry, blueberry, rose petal, mushroom and dusty oak. Suave in the mouth with good energy, offering mid weight flavors of black cherry and spice. The explosion of fruit raises the senses. Nicely composed with a memorable finish. Re-tasted 4 days after opening the bottle with similar results and the finish again making an impression. I agree with Adam on this wine in that it is not a lesser appellation wine but rather a different expression of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Score: 94. Reviewed June 18, 2019 ARTICLE »
2017 Clarice Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $80, screw cap. This project from winemaker Adam Lee is named after his teetotaling grandmother Clarice. 54% whole cluster fermented. Aged in 66.6% new French oak barrels. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of dark cherry and spice box. A tad richer and more structured than the Rosella’s bottling. Exquisitely composed with a wide range of dark fruit flavors and a touch of spice. There is a good acidic vibe and the finish is amazingly long. When tasted from a previously opened bottle after 4 days, the wine was still superb but will be even more rewarding in a few years. Reviewed June 18, 2019. Score: 96. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »