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2008 Carmel Road Winery Monterey Pinot Noir

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey County, California (USA), USA

Winery: Carmel Road Winery

Availability

Available in Consignment

Background

Carmel Road Winery is located in the heart of Monterey County where the air is crisp and the tempo is relaxed and measured. Most mornings our vineyards are shrouded in fog. Most afternoons a brisk Pacific Ocean wind blows southward along the ridge tops and benchlands of Salinas Valley delivering fresh, cool maritime air. For years our region was considered too cold and windy to grow world-class grapes. Today, Monterey boasts some of the most highly-acclaimed AVAs in all of California. Since 1999 Carmel Road has been producing stunning Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from some of Monterey's finest benchland vineyards using a mix of proprietary and traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques.

Winemaking

Monterey's Salinas Valley is one of California's hottest cool-climate AVAs. At Carmel Road, we've tailored our viticulture and winemaking techniques to capture the compelling character of our unique climate and soils. Our Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are known for their rich flavors, firm acidity and brilliant varietal flavors. But it is the pronounced minerality that sets them apart from their peers throughout the Golden State.

Tasting Notes

The 2008 is a rich and complex wine, marked by crushed blackberry, ripe strawberries, warm spice and refreshing red fruit tones on the finish.

Maturation

9 Months In 98% French Oak (21% New)

Awards

GOLD 2010 - Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
CRITICS SILVER - 2010 Critics Challenge

Reviews

www.stylegourmet.com - Highly Recommended (2007 vintage)
"The 2007 Monterey Pinot Noir, is a deep shimmering purple, with a truly satisfying purity of nicely layered aromatic and flavor notes. The wine sees 21% new French oak and shows it off rather nicely: sweet oak and brambly berry meet the nose. The wine is dry and has a nice acidic tang in the mouth, with raspberry and blackberry jam, a touch of cocoa and some rich vanilla. These flavors are clear, direct, and pure. Stylistically, you cannot go up or down the Pacific coast to compare this Monterey Pinot to any other (it is decidedly un-Burgundian), although I could make a case for some similarities with New Zealand's Central Otago Pinot (for which you would pay at least twice as much). If you are looking for a good house wine that will go with virtually all food, this is the one."