Dec 30, 2022
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Heart O’ The Mountain
| Owner(s) | Judy Brassfield, Robert Brassfield |
| Web site | www.heartothemountain.com |
| Link to this site |
This historic 154-acre property was once the hideaway for noted Hollywood director Alfred Hitchcock. It was purchased by Robert and Judy Brassfield in 1978 who have resided here ever since. In recent years, 6.6 acres of Pinot Noir vineyards were planted, an old horse barn was transformed into a winery and Robert, along with his son, Brandon, began producing small amounts of Pinot Noir. The first commercial release was with the 2005 vintage.
Two Pinot Noirs are produced including a blend of clones 667, 777 and Pommard and a very small amount of Pommard clone only. The wine is sold through an allocated mailing list. Visits to the winery are not permitted due to the very narrow access road but members of the mailing list who purchase a case of wine are invited to the annual winery party where they can tour the exterior of the historic Hitchcock house.
Articles About Heart O’ The Mountain
2009 Pinot Noir Summit (7.16 4/18/2009)
Along the Pinot Trail: 2010 Pinot Shootout (8.9 1/22/2010)
Heart O’ The Mountain (8.5 11/13/2009)
Pinot Paradise (7.16 4/18/2009)
Pinot on the River 2010: Wilted in the Rain (8.25 11/7/2010)
Sips of Pinot Noir (8.20 8/24/2010)
Tasting Santa Cruz Pinot Noirz (7.14 3/15/2009)
Reviewed Wines
2007 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Pommard Clone Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 25 cases, $48. Aged 20 months in
100% new French oak. 100% de-stemmed, whole berry fermentation.
Unfined and unfiltered. Only available to Wine Club members.
·
Enticing
and penetrating aromas of subtlety-spiced cherries which carry over to
the flavor profile. Beautifully composed and harmonious with supple
tannins and a clean, refreshing finish. Flat-out delicious with plenty of
finesse to charm. One of the best Pinot Noirs tasted on this trip. Regretfully, it is
already sold out to Allocation Club members. The Pommard clone thrives on this
site.
Reviewed November 13, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Triple Seven Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 44 cases,$48. Whole berry fermentation after cold
maceration. Aged 20 months in French oak. Unfined, unfiltered.
·
Deep color.
Brooding nose showing ripe dark stone fruits, a hint of oak char and barnyard.
Plenty of rich, plush and very ripe plum fruit fans out on the palate. The oak is a
subtle accent, the texture is all velvet, and the finish lingers. A bold and
aggressive wine that will appeal to lovers of hedonistic fruit. Very good.
Reviewed November 13, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Heart O’ The Mountain Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., pH 3.56, 490 cases,
$48. Clones 777, 667 and Pommard. Aged 18 months in French oak.
·
Medium garnet color. Deep, dark, very ripe fruit perfume
with hints of forest floor and sawdust. A big gulp of purple fruit (black plums,
elderberries, blackberries) that dances lightly on the palate, drinking easily by
virtue of mild fine-grain tannins. The sweet, velvety mouthful of fruit will find appeal. A faint hint of alcohol peaks out on the finish. Very good.
Reviewed August 24, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc.,
500 cases, $48. Individual clones (667, 777 and Pommard) are hand picked separately
and kept apart throughout the winemaking and aging process. The grapes are de-stemmed
into small bins, cold soaked for 6 days, fermented in small open top bins where
the cap is gently punched down by hand several times a day. Aged 18 months in French
oak barrels. The separate clones are blended before bottling and the wine is aged an
additional 6 months in bottle before release. All winemaking is by gravity flow. Unfined
and unfiltered.
·
Expressive aromas of ripe black cherries, plum and oak. Dark cherry and
berry fruits are mouth-coating with some pie crust flavor adding interest. The tannins and
alcohol are held in check, the texture is silky, and the finish is lively and persistent. Impressive and
recommended.
Reviewed January 1, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8%
alc., $48. The grapes are de-stemmed into small bins, cold soaked for 6 days,
fermented in small open top bins with manual punch downs. Aged 18 months in
French oak barrels and an additional 6 months in bottle before release. Unfined and
unfiltered.
·
Dark stone fruits dominate reflecting the clonal mix. A middleweight with
welcoming tannins and acidity, a silky texture and a sidecar of toast and oak
enhancing rather than detracting from the flavors which veer to the ripe end of the
spectrum (picked at 25 Brix), but never cross the line to raisin. I only have one small
nit in that the wine struggles for balance when it warms in the glass, revealing a
touch of alcoholic heat.
Reviewed March 15, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8%
alc., 500 cases, $48. This newer winery was extensively reviewed in the
PinotFile (Volume 7, Issue 14). I have tasted this wine blind twice and on two
other occasions with consistent findings. Available only at the winery through a
mailing list.
·
Dark stone fruits and strawberries are featured highlighted with
cinnamon spice and oak with a suave texture and nicely balanced t n’ a.
Beautifully harmonized.
Reviewed April 18, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Pommard Clone Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 25 cases, $48. Aged 20 months in 100% new French oak. 100% de-stemmed, whole berry fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered. Only available to Wine Club members. · Enticing and penetrating aromas of subtlety-spiced cherries which carry over to the flavor profile. Beautifully composed and harmonious with supple tannins and a clean, refreshing finish. Flat-out delicious with plenty of finesse to charm. One of the best Pinot Noirs tasted on this trip. Regretfully, it is already sold out to Allocation Club members. The Pommard clone thrives on this site. Reviewed November 13, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Triple Seven Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 44 cases,$48. Whole berry fermentation after cold maceration. Aged 20 months in French oak. Unfined, unfiltered. · Deep color. Brooding nose showing ripe dark stone fruits, a hint of oak char and barnyard. Plenty of rich, plush and very ripe plum fruit fans out on the palate. The oak is a subtle accent, the texture is all velvet, and the finish lingers. A bold and aggressive wine that will appeal to lovers of hedonistic fruit. Very good. Reviewed November 13, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Heart O’ The Mountain Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., pH 3.56, 490 cases, $48. Clones 777, 667 and Pommard. Aged 18 months in French oak. · Medium garnet color. Deep, dark, very ripe fruit perfume with hints of forest floor and sawdust. A big gulp of purple fruit (black plums, elderberries, blackberries) that dances lightly on the palate, drinking easily by virtue of mild fine-grain tannins. The sweet, velvety mouthful of fruit will find appeal. A faint hint of alcohol peaks out on the finish. Very good. Reviewed August 24, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 500 cases, $48. Individual clones (667, 777 and Pommard) are hand picked separately and kept apart throughout the winemaking and aging process. The grapes are de-stemmed into small bins, cold soaked for 6 days, fermented in small open top bins where the cap is gently punched down by hand several times a day. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels. The separate clones are blended before bottling and the wine is aged an additional 6 months in bottle before release. All winemaking is by gravity flow. Unfined and unfiltered. · Expressive aromas of ripe black cherries, plum and oak. Dark cherry and berry fruits are mouth-coating with some pie crust flavor adding interest. The tannins and alcohol are held in check, the texture is silky, and the finish is lively and persistent. Impressive and recommended. Reviewed January 1, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $48. The grapes are de-stemmed into small bins, cold soaked for 6 days, fermented in small open top bins with manual punch downs. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and an additional 6 months in bottle before release. Unfined and unfiltered. · Dark stone fruits dominate reflecting the clonal mix. A middleweight with welcoming tannins and acidity, a silky texture and a sidecar of toast and oak enhancing rather than detracting from the flavors which veer to the ripe end of the spectrum (picked at 25 Brix), but never cross the line to raisin. I only have one small nit in that the wine struggles for balance when it warms in the glass, revealing a touch of alcoholic heat. Reviewed March 15, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 500 cases, $48. This newer winery was extensively reviewed in the PinotFile (Volume 7, Issue 14). I have tasted this wine blind twice and on two other occasions with consistent findings. Available only at the winery through a mailing list. · Dark stone fruits and strawberries are featured highlighted with cinnamon spice and oak with a suave texture and nicely balanced t n’ a. Beautifully harmonized. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »